EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 60/02/92

Distr: UA/SC

31 December 1992

Further information on UA 413/92 (EUR 60/01/92, 23 December 1992) and correction dated 23 December 1992.

Possible Extrajudicial Executions/Fear of Extrajudicial Executions

TADZHIKISTAN: Akhmed Shakh Kamil, Mubarak Shakhov Khushbakht and "Sultan"

Amnesty International is concerned by reports that three independent journalists were extrajudicially executed in Dushanbe, the capital of Tadzhikistan, between 20 and 22 December 1992.

Akhmed Shakh Kamil, the former director of national television in Tadzhikistan, Mubarak Shakhov Khushbakht, a newspaper journalist, and a television producer known as "Sultan" were said to have been detained on the street and summarily executed by pro-government forces subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs who suspected them of being members of the opposition. A number of other journalists are said to have fled the city, and their publications closed down.

Since government forces entered Dushanbe at the beginning of the month scores of unarmed civilians suspected of supporting the opposition are said to have been extrajudicially executed by forces loyal to the pro-communist government (see UA 413/92, EUR 60/02/92, 23 December 1992). Amnesty International fears that more people may be targeted and killed in this way. It is urging the government to conduct a full and impartial investigation into all such incidents, the findings of which should be made public and the perpetrators brought to justice.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A civil war has been raging in Tadzhikistan since May 1992, when rival demonstrations by supporters and opponents of President Rakhmon Nabiyev, a former leader of Tadzhikistan's Communist Party, erupted into armed conflict in Dushanbe. This forced the President to include representatives of the opposition Democratic Party and Islamic Renaissance Party in a coalition government. Thereafter, the centre of conflict shifted to the south of the country, where armed groups were divided along both political and clan lines. Fighting escalated after President Nabiyev was forced by his opponents to resign in September 1992, and in late October forces loyal to the ousted President briefly occupied central Dushanbe before being expelled by forces loyal to the government of acting President Akbarsho Iskandarov. In an attempt to stop the civil war that government resigned in November and a special session of Tadzhikistan's parliament, still communist dominated, was convened in the northern city of Khodzhent. This dismissed Iskandarov and installed Imamali Rakhmonov as chairman of parliament and head of state. Forces apparently supporting the Islamic elements in the outgoing government refused to relinquish control of Dushanbe, which was being besieged by forces from the south of the country loyal to the new government created by the Khodzhent meeting. After fierce street battles the city fell on 10 December 1992.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters either in English, Russian or your own language:

-expressing concern at the reported extrajudicial execution of the three above named men and other unarmed civilians suspected of supporting the opposition;

-urging a full and impartial investigation into all such incidents, the findings of which should be made public and the perpetrators brought to justice within the norms of international law;

- urging the government to take all necessary measures to ensure that forces under its control are aware of, and conform to, international standards on the use of force.

APPEALS TO:

1) Chairman of the Supreme Council, Imamali Rakhmanov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Verkhovny sovet Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Rakhmanovu I.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Predsedatelyu VS Rakhmanovu I.

Faxes: + 3772 22 69 71

Salutation: Dear Chairman

2) Procurator General of Tadzhikistan, Mamadnazar Soliyev

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Prokuratura Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Generalnomu Prokuroru Soliyevu M.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Gen. Prokuroru Mamadnazaru S.

Salutation: Dear Procurator General

3) Minister of Internal Affairs, Yakub Salimov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

MVD Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, MVD, Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Rakhmanov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Ministerstvo Oborony

Ministru Rakhmanovu F.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Olimov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

MID Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Olimovu R.

Faxes: + 3772 23 29 64

Chairman of parliamentary Commission for Legislation,

Law and Human Rights, Abdullo Khabibov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Kommisiya po zakonodatelstvu, pravu

i poryadku i po pravam cheloveka pri

Verkhovnom Sovete Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Khabibovu A.

and to diplomatic representatives of Tadzhikistan accredited to your country (these are usually to be found at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the former Soviet Embassy).

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 February 1993.