On 6 November 1994, the people of Tajikistan adopted by popular referendum the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, based on international standards and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The adoption of this important document created the conditions for the development of an independent, free, legal and democratic Tajikistan.
The Constitution is a document that for centuries defines the foundations of the constitutional structure of the country, and it changes at important historical stages. However, in order to protect his dictatorial regime, Emomali Rakhmonov(the President of Tajikistan since 1994) amended the constitution three times during his 27 years in power.
For the first time, on September 26, 1999, before the presidential election, the president’s term was increased from five to seven years by a series of minor changes. The changes are aimed at ensuring that Rakhmonov remains in power.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, the term of office of the president at that time expired after the second round of elections, and Rakhmonov no longer had the right to participate in the elections. In order to maintain Rakhmonov’s power, a referendum was held on June 22, 2003, following which a number of minor amendments were made to the Constitution, as a result of which the concept of “one term” was replaced by “two terms.”
The third amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan was made on May 22, 2016, according to these amendments, the age of candidates for the post of President of the Republic of Tajikistan was reduced from 35 to 30 years. Having amended the Constitution, Rakhmonov intended to transfer power to his son. The country’s constitution also legalized the institution of the “Leader of the Nation” and gave Rakhmonov a number of unique powers, including the right to run for president indefinitely and the inviolability of Rakhmonov himself and his family.
As we see, in order to extend his term of office, Rakhmonov repeatedly rewritten the Constitution of the country, amending it.
On the eve of the 2016 referendum, the political movement «Group 24» called on the country’s population not to participate in it, due to the illegality of the campaign. The political movement «Group 24» does not recognize the 2016 Constitution.
Thus, Rakhmonov, along with countless other crimes and offenses aimed at protecting his power in the country, changed the Constitution three times, which we regard as an act of usurpation of power.
In conclusion, the political movement «Group 24» congratulates all the people of the country on Constitution Day and wishes an early end to the oppression in Tajikistan and the restoration of the rule of law and justice.
Political movement «Group 24»
