The Tajik Ministry of Defense has proposed introducing administrative penalties for publishing and distributing “fake news” about the army on social networks and the media, including user videos about raids and hazing.
To this end, the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan has prepared and submitted a draft law “On making additions to the Code of the Republic of Tajikistan on Administrative Offenses,” the Khovar national news agency reported on July 12, citing the defense department.
“The process of spreading any kind of false information among the population reduces the percentage of trust and support of the population in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan and negatively affects the prestige and defense capability of the country,” initiators of the bill believe.
It is reported that this bill at the current stage provides only for the introduction of fines or administrative arrest for its violators. Other details – the size of the fine, and the terms of administrative arrest – have not yet been reported.
Many media experts and human rights activists saw this initiative as another attempt to put pressure on the media and civil activists.
“Tajikistan is using with might and main the most negative experience of fighting dissent in the CIS. Now, any publication about any state of emergency in a military unit or raids carried out recently without any hint of the rights and freedoms of citizens will automatically be declared fake, and Tajik courts will issue warrants for arrest and issuance of fines against those who were not afraid to talk about lawlessness and arbitrariness in the army,” said the expert, who wished to remain anonymous.
Conscription for military service in Tajikistan is held twice a year – in spring and autumn. With the beginning of each recruiting campaign, human rights activists constantly receive complaints about the so-called “raids” – the illegal practice of forcibly bringing young people of military age to the military registration and enlistment office, from where, after completing certain formalities, they are sent to military units.
Employees of the military registration and enlistment offices monitor the guys everywhere – at their place of residence, illegally breaking into houses and apartments, in public transport, near universities, and at airports.
“Now, apparently, the “hands” for employees of the military registration and enlistment offices will be legally untied,” the expert believes.
