AKIPRESS.COM - Non-government organizations call on the Tajik government bodies, political parties, self-nominated candidates and media to respect freedom of expression.

Nansmit (the National Association of Independent Mass Media of Tajikistan, Tajikistan), Adil Soz (the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech, Kazakhstan) and MPI (Media Policy Institute, Kyrgyzstan) call on the Government of Tajikistan, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), political parties and candidates to the lower chamber of parliament to respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression in the run up and during the elections.

“We also encourage everyone involved in the elections in Tajikistan to admit their role in promoting the freedom of expression and constructive debate, and realize that their actions and statements have an impact on others; this is important in order to create a society based on mutual respect and equality for all," the statement said.

“We call on the Government of Tajikistan, the Central Electoral Commission, Mass Media, Political Parties, candidates to members of the lower chamber of parliament of Tajikistan to make the following commitments: to promote democratic values, respect for and recognition of the right of everyone to participate in the administration of the state; to demonstrate zero-tolerance to any discrimination whatsoever; not to incite ethnic, clan and religious hatred, not to use hate speech against marginalized groups in any political debate, and take measures to prevent such speech; and, finally, to contribute to the protection of human rights, including the freedom of expression, freedom of religion and the protection against discrimination, and to support the national and international obligations of Tajikistan for human rights protection.”