DUSHANBE, March 12, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik human rights activist, Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova, who won the International Women of Courage Award, has refused a multi-day tour of the United States for family reasons.

“I had to refuse travel to a number of the U.S. cities for family reasons.  However, I participated in several meetings with the U.S. politicians and public figures, including First Lady Michelle Obama,” Ms. Bobonazarova told Asia-Plus in an interview.

Besides, Tajik human rights activist was also invited to a meeting with representatives of the U.S. media outlets.

“Despite the fact that pressure on our media became stronger lately, I noted during the meeting that media is the only social institution that is currently more or less working in Tajikistan,” said Bobonazarova.  “American journalists asked me how Asia-Plus editor Olga Tutubalina is getting on after court’s judgment against the newspaper and her.  It has amazed me that Western media are so aware of issues concerning Central Asia as a whole and Tajikistan in particular.”

“Of course, there was a thorough conversation between the award winners.  We discussed issues related to human rights in our countries and the state of women.  What amazed me most is that among the award winners there were women occupying positions in their governments.  For example, the award winner from Guatemala is a judge and the award winner from Afghanistan is director of maternity hospital in Kabul.  Both of them are fighting for human rights in their countries and voicing opposition to leaderships of their countries.  I cannot imagine such things in Tajikistan, at least at this stage”

Meanwhile, no one Tajik state-run media has published report that Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova won State’s International Women of Courage Award.

We will recall that Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova, a pioneer of the human rights movement in Tajikistan, was among 10 women awarded as "International Women of Courage" by the U.S. Department of State.

A lawyer by profession, Ms. Bobonazarova is best known for her advocacy of human rights and her work with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation.

Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova is the head of the "Perspektiva" social movement and since 1990 has been known for her work with democratic parties in Tajikistan.

In September 2013, Ms. Bobonazarova became the first ever female candidate for President of Tajikistan when the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) nominated her as its standard bearer.  Since her unsuccessful bid for the presidency, Ms. Bobonazarova has continued to speak out against torture and has been instrumental in working with the NGO association “Coalition against Torture” and the Ombudsman’s Office to establish the first independent prison monitoring program since prisons were closed to outside access in 2004.

The other award winners were Nasrin Oryakhil from Afghanistan, Ruslana Lyzhchko from Ukraine, Rusudan Gotrsiridze from Georgia, Roshika Deo from Fiji, Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar of Guatemala, Laxmi of India, Fatimata Toure of Mali, Maha al-Munif of Saudi Arabia, and Beatrice Mtetwa of Zimbabwe.

The International Women of Courage Award is an American award presented annually by the United States Department of State to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, resourcefulness and willingness to sacrifice for others, especially for better promotion of women''s rights.

The award was established in 2007 by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the International Women''s Day, an annual celebration observed each March 8 in many countries worldwide.  U.S. embassies have the right to recommend one woman as a candidate.

Since the inception of this award, the Department of State has honored 76 women from 49 different countries.