02/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU criticises outlawing of political opposition party. On Thursday 1 October, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated that the outlawing of the main opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, which is considered as a terrorist organisation by the government of Tajikistan, adds “a further restriction on the freedom of political expression and on pluralism in the country”. “The decision to ban any political party from political competition must be open to legal review”, the spokesperson stated. The authorities also accuse this party of being at the origin of the deadly violence that took place in the country in early September. While underlining the EU's opposition to the use of violence against the institutions of the Tajik state, Mogherini's spokesperson said that even in the pursuit of security operations, the Tajik government must guarantee the fundamental freedoms of all citizens and respect for the rule of law. (CG)