Is Tajikistan’s President ‘Preparing Himself a Parachute’ with Constitutional Changes? · Global Voices
<PERSON> and family. Wikipedia image.
On May 22 Tajikistan will hold a referendum on the <PERSON> family that has ruled it for over two decades against a backdrop of economic dysfunction, pervasive corruption and political repression.
On the day at least, the family is almost certain to get its way.
Tajikistan is the poorest of the 15 countries to emerge from the ruins of the Soviet Union in 1991.
As soon as the country gained independence, it fell into a five-year civil war that saw <PERSON> and his allies emerge as the country's decisive political force.
Leader of the Nation
<PERSON>, 63, is sometimes likened by citizens in the country to the shah of Iran overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, due to his intolerance of the religion of Islam followed by over 90% of the country's citizens.
Amendments to the constitution that will be voted on in May include a ban on political parties created on religious grounds, as well as a stipulation that will allow ‘The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation’ to stand for president an infinite number of times.
<PERSON>'s Leader of the Nation title was awarded him by parliament in December.
In speech to the deputies the speaker of the lower chamber MP <PERSON> said:
“Этот закон не нужен президенту Эмомали Рахмону, он нужен нам, народу, чтобы закрепить взятый им курс, нацеленный на мир и процветание. Принятый документ – это дань уважения трудам и заслугам великого сына страны. Эмомали Рахмон – спаситель нации, объединивший таджикский народ после тысячелетнего разобщения. Он спас и возродил таджикскую нацию. 148
История услышала боль народа и подарила ему смелого, заботливого, честного, любящего и миролюбивого руководителя, лидера”
President <PERSON> does not need this law, we, the people need it, in order to strengthen the course he has taken, which aims at peace and prosperity. The adopted document is a tribute to the works and merits of this great son of the country. <PERSON>, the saviour of the nation, united the Tajik people after a thousand years of separation. He has saved and revived the Tajik nation. History heard the nation's pain and gave it a brave, caring, honest, loving and peace-loving leader.
On a practical level the Leader of the Nation status allows <PERSON> and his family immunity from criminal prosecution, and the inviolability of their properties among other things, even after he leaves office.
As one commenter on the Tajik service of RFE/RL commented:
Готовит себе парашют.
He is preparing himself a parachute. 148