and Balkan Europe
by IECOB & AIS Università di Bologna
Canadian researcher wrongfully detained in Tajikistan
On 16 June, Alexander Sodiqov, a PhD candidate at the Univerity of Toronto, was arrested in his native Tajikistan while conducting academic research on conflict resolution in the autonomous southeastern province of Gorno-Badakhshan. Scholars, activists, and politicians the around the world consider the researcher’s detention an assault on the freedom of expression as well as a violation of international law. Human Rights Watch has formally condemned Sodiqov’s detention, releasing a statement calling for his immediate release or a legitimate criminal charge. As an institution that values broad-based and diverse research on the region while supporting core values of democracy, cultural diversity, human rights awareness, tolerance and gender equality, IECOB finds Sodiqov’s detention deeply concerning.
Consider signing the petition for Sodiqov’s release or writing a letter according to Amnesty International’s recommendations. Find further information and suggestions for taking action at the official campaign website for Alexander Sodiqov’s release.
Further information, organized by date of publication, can be found at the links below:
- EurasiaNet, “Tajikistan: Foreign Minister’s UK Visit Overshadowed by Researcher’s Arrest” (14 July 2014)
- EurasiaNet, “Tajikistan: Researcher’s Arrest Connected to Anti-Western Mood” (8 July 2014)
- Global Voices, “Tributes to Alexander Sodiqov from Toronto, Canada” (7 July 2014)
- Open Democracy, “A post-Soviet dictatorship vs. an academic researcher” (7 July 2014)
- Asia-Plus, “Spying case of Tajik researcher reportedly ‘top secret’” (6 July 2014)
- Index on Censorship, “Civil society calls on Tajikistan to immediately release Alexander Sodiqov” (3 July 2014)
- BBC News, “Call to free detained Tajik academic Alexander Sodiqov” (2 July 2014)
- The Guardian, “Tajikistan must release academic” (1 July 2014)
- Global Voices, “These 5 Experts Explain Why Alexander Sodiqov’s Arrest in Tajikistan Is So Troubling” (27 June 2014)
- The New York Times, “The Tajiks’ Forgotten War” (26 June 2014)
- Al Jazeera, “Outcry over student arrested in Tajikistan” (26 June 2014)
- Washington Post, “Researchers at Risk in Central Asia” (25 June 2014)
- Reporters Without Borders, “Visiting researcher held after interviewing government critic” (24 June 2014)
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty, “Detained Tajik researcher appears on TV” (20 June 2014)
- Asia-Plus, “Statement by Dr John Heathershaw regarding detention of Alexander Sodiqov in Khorog” (20 June 2014)
- The Guardian, “Fears grow for Canadian researcher arrested in Tajikistan” (19 June 2014)
- Eurasianet.org, “Tajikistan: Dushanbe Still Silent on ‘Disappeared’ Scholar” (19 June 2014)
PECOB: Portal on Central Eastern and Balkan Europe - University of Bologna - 1, S. Giovanni Bosco - Faenza - Italy
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