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RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
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RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1615
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1662
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0982
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 9185

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KISL KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: HELSINKI COMMISSION COUNSEL'S FIRST VISIT 
 
REF: DUSHANBE 541 
 
DUSHANBE 00001174  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  H. Knox Thames, Counsel for the U.S. 
Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as 
the Helsinki Commission, visited Tajikistan June 14-17 for the 
first time.  During his trip, he met with political party 
representatives, religious leaders, government officials, and 
university students.  Thames urged Tajik leaders to adhere to 
international standards for human rights and democracy, 
particularly admonishing the fatwa banning women from attending 
mosques, government crackdown on girls wearing hijabsin public 
schools, Democratic Party of Tajikistan Chairman Iskandarov's 
imprisonment and other intimidation targets at political party 
leaders.  He assured officials that U.S. Representatives and 
Senators of the Helsinki Commission are closely watching 
Tajikistan's presidential election and hope that it will be a 
fair election.  Thames encountered the typical Tajik government 
talking points when meeting with officials, however, many 
leaders were willing to discuss openly areas of change for 
Tajikistan.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SKIRT THE LINE 
 
¶2.  (U)  In Thames' meetings with government officials at the 
Ministry of Justice, CCER, MFA and the State Committee on 
Religious Affairs (SCRA), as expected, some officials toed the 
government line, but others were willing to speak more frankly. 
Deputy Minister of Justice Sharipova, told Thames and PolOff 
that it was time Tajikistan has an ombudsman.  She also said 
that reinstating International Committee of the Red Crescent's 
access to prisons in Tajikistan should be possible  and blamed 
the problem  on low-level bureaucrats in the Ministry.  She 
noted that recently the Minister had ordered access for any 
organization willing to provide assistance.  Speaking on human 
rights, Thames encouraged the Ministry of Justice to apply to 
the OSCE to provide police anti-hate crimes and anti-terrorism 
training. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The government's close watch on human rights and 
freedom of religion activists was evident in the fact that a 
Ministry of Security official attended Thames' meeting with the 
Head of the Regional Islamic Council in Khujand.  Because of the 
official's presence, the cautious Head of the Council claimed 
that Muslims in the region did not have any problems with 
hijjabs or mosque closures.  Ismatullo Nasriddinov at the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs summed up Tajikistan's reasoning 
behind their deficiencies in human rights by reminding Thames 
that Tajikistan is a young country and cannot complete all the 
reforms and abide by all international ideals "today, right this 
minute, right this second." 
 
 
RECOMMENDED CHANGES: FROM NEW DRAFT LAW ON RELIGION TO 
RECOGNIZING HT 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Thames held a roundtable meeting with six religious 
leaders from various denominations, including a mufti from the 
Council of Ulamo.  The mufti expressed relatively liberal ideas 
and condemned the fatwa that prohibited women from attending 
mosque.  He also openly said that the draft law on religion 
needs to be revised (reftel).  All representatives reiterated 
discontent with the draft law, but cautioned the international 
community not to condemn Tajikistan immediately.  They would 
like to see all religious organizations have a chance to work 
with the government on the law.   The Vatican's representative 
questioned the Center for Strategic Research Studies and U.S. 
AID assisted conference on regional Islamic affairs and 
suggested that a conference including all religions be organized 
in the region to discuss important issues pertaining to all, 
 
DUSHANBE 00001174  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
such as the draft law. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  During Thames' Khujand visit, a common message from 
both the Mayor and Head of the Regional Islamic Council was the 
need to curb Hizb ut Tahrir (HT) membership.  High youth 
unemployment and illiteracy lead many people to easily succumb 
to HT influence.  Not having formal education in Islamic studies 
many turn to HT teachings.  Faiziniso Vohidova, a Social 
Democratic Party of Tajikistan activist told Thames the 
government should change its policy towards HT.  Although she 
disagreed with HT's message and practices, she called on the 
government to allow HT to operate.  She hoped that Tajikistan 
can fight HT ideologically and with public debate because their 
underground nature is what draws members. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  In Thames' meeting with Qadi Akbar Turajonzoda, a 
wealthy Imam in the Vahdat district 40 minutes from Dushanbe and 
former deputy of parliament, Turajonzoda expressed 
disappointment with the U.S.'s inability to "force" free and 
fair elections.  (COMMENT: If only it were that easy.  END 
COMMENT.) PolOff explained the U.S. Embassy and the American 
government has been working with political parties, the Central 
Committee on Election and Referenda, IFES and international 
organizations to improve the democratic election processes. 
Turajonzoda said that he would be delighted if the Americans 
could do one thing:  influence the Tajik government to allow 
political party representatives to sit in on the district 
election committees (DECs).  The most important point of fraud 
will occur when the government appointed DECs "validate" votes. 
If political parties were involved in DECs, it would show the 
Tajik people that the votes were legitimately validated. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  Thames informed PolOff some congress representatives 
will likely write letters to President Rahmonov urging him to 
reform election laws and procedures.  Thames also said that he 
would strongly encourage future Congressional delegations visit 
Dushanbe.  He hoped to return to Dushanbe in November as an OSCE 
election observer. 
 
¶8.  (U)  COMMENT:  Thames left Tajikistan with a very positive 
impression.  He was pleasantly surprised by the green and open 
environment of the city compared to other Central Asian 
capitals.  Even though they were not entirely forthcoming with 
information, government officials were willing to meet with 
Thames.  Local Tajiks are eager to meet with Americans and 
always ready and willing to show-off their Tajik hospitality and 
some will even share their honest opinion.  Post welcomes more 
visitors from Congress to see for themselves Tajikistan and the 
role it plays as a strategic partner in the region.   END 
COMMENT. 
 
 
¶9.  (U)  Thames did not have the opportunity to clear this cable. 
ARMBRUSTER