DUSHANBE, September 11, 2013, Asia-Plus – Well-known Tajik human rights and social activist, Aynihal Babanazarova, is nominated as a single candidate from the opposition for the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for 6 November.

Asia-Plus learned from members of the Union of Reformist Forces (URF) that the URF held a meeting of its working group on Monday, 9 September, where the decision was made. Ms. Babanazarova’s candidacy was supported unanimously. Among other possible presidential candidates Muhammadjan Qasimov, Hajimuhammad Umarov, and Rahmatullah Zayirov – active URF members, were also considered.

Official press-conference to announce the single candidate was held on Tuesday, 10 September.

In the 1980s, Aynihal Babanazarova was one of the founders of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan. In 1993, she was arrested on charges of plotting a coup and treason. After her release, she continued her human rights movement, and was human rights adviser for 10 years in the OSCE Dushanbe office and other international organizations. The past few years, Ms. Babanazarova is heading Perspective + NGO, which monitors situation in prisons, fights against torture, defends women’s and migrant workers’ rights.