tajikistanweb.com

090408 – The awaited Social-Democrats’ demonstration did not take place in Khorogh on Tuesday. Rahmatullah Zairov, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) announced last month the party’s intention to hold a protest demonstration on April 8 to denounce a territorial deal between Dushanbe and Beijing back in 2002, passing six villages of Badakhshan province to administrative control of Tavildara district on March 7 and ‘law enforcement agencies’ misbehaviour in the province’. However, the rally simply didn’t happen.

Despite the fact that many peaceful protest demonstrations have taken place lately in Badakhshan with no tragic consequences, authorities sounded gravely concerned at possible destabilizing effect of the SDPT rally in Badakhshani society and throughout the country. Some political figures of the past, like Davlat Khudanazarov, accused the party of a ‘backdoor’ attempt to fight their adversaries in Dushanbe by using ‘hot-blooded mountaineers’ as a tool. Subsequently, as predicted by many, the rally was not sanctioned by authorities and Social Democrats chose to abide by law.

While announcing the party’s plans in mid-March, Zairov sounded rather adamant and persisted that the rally would take place irrespective of the authorities’ disapproval. He had stated that the government in Badakhshan province is putting pressure on the SDPT, because ‘the party was the second to win local parliamentary elections’. Ostensibly, an increased level of pressure has maid the SDPT leader forget his publicly announced vow.

The SDPT withdrawal has received mixed reactions in the Tajik blogosphere. Ayina taunts the party for failing to deliver the promised and dashing their supporters’ hopes. Analyzing possible reasons of the withdrawal, the blogger writes: "Demonstrations still reminisce on the beginning of the civil war… There was a report that about 50 women gathered by the presidential palace on March 7 to defend their rights. After 10 minutes there was no trace of the rally." They had been dispersed. "People are afraid to rally and authorities are afraid of people’s rally."

Andesha’s reaction to the news is rather optimistic: "Although the rally did not occur, it did fulfil its task. It reminded the authorities about the existence of other people whose problems need to be addressed. Sadly, the understanding has been achieved via fear. Without understanding and respect we will have to dwell in a fear-land forever, and such an affair, needless to mention, has no happy ending."