A/HRC/55/51/Add.2 authorities, at times, deny that the Pamiri are a distinct ethnic minority, because their languages are related to Tajik and because they do not appear as a distinct category in census and other official State data. Their isolation in a mountainous region in the far eastern part of the country, among such other factors as their distinct cultures and religion, nevertheless clearly means that they are to be considered as a minority under international provisions of international law, such as article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 65. In April 2022, the Special Rapporteur and colleagues had already warned the Government of Tajikistan that disregard of the grievances of the Pamiri minority by Tajik authorities and the securitization of the Kŭhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Province where they lived could lead to violent conflict if unaddressed.18 That warning followed tensions in November 2021 over the death of a Pamiri activist while in police custody, which had sparked widespread protests due to anger over the lack of an investigation. The Government responded forcefully, sending in military reinforcements and implementing other measures, such as shutting down the Internet. 66. A few weeks later, the situation spiralled into violence and further killings. Rallies intensified after a Pamiri protester, Zamir Nazarshoev, was killed by the police on 16 May 2022, followed by a so-called anti-terrorist operation over about one week, with dozens of Pamiri protesters killed by Tajik Government special forces, according to reports by journalists and evidence presented to the Special Rapporteur by eyewitnesses, most of whom are in exile. Most observers are of the view that the government crackdown is intended to stamp out political opposition and consolidate control over a restive region, usually identified with the opposition during the country’s five-year civil war. Many other United Nations entities have commented on the dire human rights situation, such as Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which indicated in 2023, in its concluding observations, that the Committee was seriously concerned about the tensions in the Kŭhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Province, with reports of the use of lethal and excessive force against protesters in the region, followed by prolonged Internet shutdowns and subsequent violent attacks and threats against and arbitrary detention and harassment of the members of the Pamiri minority.19 67. The situation on the ground for the Pamiri minority is, in the view of the Special Rapporteur, one of increased repression and a massive denial of human rights, which manifest themselves in several areas, some of which may not always be apparent. There have, again, been numerous instances over the past two years of denunciations by international human rights mechanisms and organizations of the major crackdown on human rights defenders, members of civil society organizations and journalists belonging to minorities and those advocating for their rights, who are being subjected to harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest and detention, closed, unfair trials and imprisonment. 20 Most of those are Pamiri or involve individuals or organizations working on cases involving the events in the Kŭhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Province. Special procedure mandate holders have, in recent communications,21 raised concerns regarding the treatment of the Pamiri minority and some of those allegations concerned the abusive use of the counter-terrorism legislation against activists, human rights defenders and journalists belonging to that minority. 22 Subsequently, in a press release issued on 20 May 2022, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues expressed deep concern about the discriminatory impact of anti-terrorism legislation, warning that the use of anti-terrorism operations to quell protests by the Pamiri minority could fuel even wider and more violent trouble.23 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 OHCHR, “Tajikistan: UN experts sound alarm about tensions in GBAO, urge protection of Pamiri minority”, 20 April 2022. CERD/C/TJK/CO/12-13, para. 13. Ibid., para. 35. See also communication TJK 5/2022. Communications TJK 1/2022, TJK 2/2022 and TJK 3/2022. See communication TJK 3/2022. See OHCHR, “Tajikistan: UN expert fears crackdown against Pamiri minority could spiral out of control”, 20 May 2022. GE.24-00946