Experts consider that Tajik authorities try to establish dialogue with former UTO members

DUSHANBE, March 31, 2011, Asia-Plus -- By means of granting amnesty and reviewing criminal cases of former militants and participants of events that took place in Tavildara district in 2009, the country’s authorities try to establish dialogue and find mutual understanding with the former United Tajik Opposition (UTO) members, Tajik political scientist Parviz Mullojonov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

“It is part of consensus that was reached between the government forces and former opposition militants in the Rasht region last year,” the expert said.

According to him, mitigation of government’s position is also connected with the authorities’ attempt to improve the political situation in the country, to ease tension in society and to raise the former UTO members’ confidence in the government.  “It is a very positive move,” Mullojonov added.

Other Tajik political scientist Abdughani Mahmadazimov has also hailed the authorities’ decision to meet former armed opposition representatives’ half way.

“Many of those accused of terrorism and extremism get too long jail terms that may lead to further deterioration of the situation in the country,” he said, noting that verdicts against those persons must not be politically motivated and judges considering such cases must be governed by the law.