FOUNDATION for Politically Persecuted People NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2016

Editorial Humayra Bakhtiyar Journalist from Tajikistan

When the interview partner from the previous day is killed in broad daylight, there is no room left for naivety. Then the journalist knows that from now on she also has to fear for her life.

Since March 2015, Humayra the regime has been persecuting How time flies. Bakhtiyar (30) had to live with this not only opposition members by fear. In her interview, the oppo- labeling them Islamists but has also Almost to the day 30 years ago, the sition politician Umarali Kuwatow, been increasingly targeting inde- retired First Mayor Dr. Klaus von who was living in exile in Istanbul, pendent journalists. Any criticism of Dohnanyi petitioned in the Hamburg had fiercely criticized Tajikistan’s the head of state Emomanii Rahmon city parliament for the establishment long-time head of state Emommali and his actions is severely punished, of an independent Hamburg founda- Rahmon and his clique. The follow- with Russia and China openly sup- tion for politically persecuted peop- ing day he was dead. porting this policy. Cautious criti- le. To this day, we invite up to five carefully selected guests every year: From this day onwards, courageous campaigners for demo- the prize-winning cracy and human rights, who after reporter Bakhtiyar the one-year fellowship are supposed once again felt perse- to act as multipliers of the notion of cuted. She knew about freedom in their home countries. Be- her phone and emails cause no one flees from a country, being monitored once where poverty is being fought and law and order prevail. again. The open threats could not be overheard. However, without your support we Once again. For years, would never have made it this far. Humayra Bakhtiyar had Verfolgte pol. ©HH Stiftung f. Together with Hamburg’s senate and Martina Bäurle and Humayra Bakhtiyar been a thorn in the side city parliament, you make up the so- of the Tajik regime. But despite all lid bedrock of our foundation. Two warnings, the young woman had cism at best comes from the EU and exceptional young women have been continued to report on torture prac- the USA: Tajikistan is considered an rescued onto this safe ground. The tices and other human rights vio- important stronghold against the journalist Inès Gakiza had to leave lations by the Central Asian state’s expansion of al Qaeda and the so- her home Burundi because she wro- police and secret service. With her called Islamic State in this region. te against the constitution-breaking coverage on the “controlled” presi- third term of president Pierre Nku- dential elections in 2013 as well as With the Kuwatow interview, runziza. And due to her reports on on the topic „radicalism and extre- Humayra Bakhtiyar finally exceeded torture and other human rights viola- mism“, she garnered international the regime’s patience. Since then, tions, the journalist Humayra Bakhti- attention. Three times, she has been she has been at the very top of the yar had to flee Tajikistan. awarded a prize for her work by the list of “journalist enemies” of the renowned „Institute for War and president. We are very happy to know that both Peace Reporting“. are now safe and sound in Hamburg. Somehow by venturing on rounda- The authorities had just recently bout routes, it was possible to bring Sincerely yours, lost interest in Humayra Bakhtiyar, the young woman from Tajikistan to Martina Bäurle when the interview with Kuwatow Hamburg. took place. Given the currently aggravated inner-political situation, Sponsors Following the end of the civil war, war, civil the of end the Following clique. his and Nkurunziza Pierre president of lings day this dea- the about date to to up her keeps which informants, of network large a create to managed have wouldn’t probably she trait this without is in, country home her state from explosive highly the journalist Given Burundi. radio old 30-year the of trademark the is others with interaction confidence-inspiring The contrary. the On sight. first at be seem to and easily might quiet she the woman all shy at not is Gakiza Inès deceptive: are impressions First InèsGakiza, radio journalist from Burundi The Hamburg Foundation for for sponsors. the thank to like would Foundation People Persecuted Politically Hamburg The © HH Stiftung f. pol. Verfolgte

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Idee: www.ulrike-willenbrink.de, Gestaltung: www.kameko.de