First day of the OSCE Conference on Human Rights. Speech by the deputy leader of the political movement “Group 24” Hussein Ashurov.
Today, September 27, Deputy Head of the Political Movement “Group 24” Hussein Ashurov spoke at the OSCE Annual Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe on the topic “Democratic Elections.”
He began by clarifying the concept of “democratic elections” and their meaning in the life of society, stressing that elections in some, so-called democratic countries have become “staged.”
Then he talked about how the elections are held in the Republic of Tajikistan and stressed that due to the lack of opposition in Tajikistan, the elections cannot be considered democratic.
In support of his words, Hussein Ashurov spoke about the 2020 presidential election in Tajikistan. In particular, he said that while 4 other candidates other than Rakhmonov participated in this election, they were not alternative candidates. Only one person: Faromarz Irgashev from Badakhshan tried to nominate himself, but he was not allowed to the elections. Faromarz Irgashev is currently in prison.
There was no real political debate and competition in this election. This was done under pressure and voters were forced to vote for Rakhmonov. The deputy leader of the political movement “Group 24” told the crowd that Rakhmonov was running for president for the fifth time. The Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan has been amended several times to legalize this. Similarly, parliamentary elections are held in Tajikistan.
Hussein Ashurov said that elections in Tajikistan are not held within the framework of democratic norms, and for this reason international observers have not recognized any elections over the years of Rakhmonov’s leadership in Tajikistan.
Political movement “Group 24”
