Nuriddin Karshiboev: The restriction of access to information calls into question the transparency of judicial system

Despite to the opportunity created by the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "Access to information of court activities", the access to judicial information is limited, the transparency and independence of the judiciary is called into question, - said Nuriddin Karshiboev, head of the National Association of Independent Mass Media of Tajikistan ( NANSMIT) on October 25, in Dushanbe after the presentation of the monitoring of the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On access to information of court activities". - In this regulatory and legal act, the cooperation of courts with mass media is shown in a separate chapter. But this cooperation is not satisfactory.

At the same time, the openness of the court cases and keeping public informed in time guarantees public trust toward judicial, as well ensures the performance of judicial proceedings to strengthen legal order, prevent crime, respect the law, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens. This point was mentioned in the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tajikistan from September 29, 2014 (as amended by the decision of the Plenum of June 14, 2018, No. 38).

"Unfortunately, consideration of the last three court cases of journalists - Abdullah Ghurbati, Daleri Emomali and Mamadsultan Mavlonnazarov can lead to a decrease in public trust in judicial system. Reviewing the case of journalists in pre-trial detention centers behind closed doors and without the presence of their relatives calls into question the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On access to information of court activities-" mentioned Nuriddin Karshiboev.

He mentioned as well regarding the request of mass media about the court activity and emphasized that out of the 6 journalistic requests that were sent to Supreme Court, only to three of them they received answers. Similar situation can be seen in other courts as well.

Nuriddin Karshiboev emphasized that the situation of access to information of court activities should always be monitored by social organizations to ensure the supremacy of the law in the country.

​NANSMIT monitoring service