“Freedom House” named Tajikistan one of the most dictatorial and autocratic countries in the world

According to the report, the state of freedom and democracy in Tajikistan has deteriorated year by year. This year, with a score of 1.04, the country has ranked among the most autocratic countries in the world. According to journalists, the level of democracy implementation in Tajikistan this year was 0.60 percent.

In the new table by “Freedom House,” Turkmenistan is ranked one step below Tajikistan. Turkmenistan received a score of 1, and the level of democracy implementation is assessed at 0 percent.

According to the organization’s assessment, Tajikistan has been moving towards autocracy every year from 2013 to 2023. The state of democracy, freedom of speech, and other human freedoms has worsened. In March of this year, the organization rated Tajikistan 7 out of 100.

According to the report, Rahmon strengthened his power in 2022 and suppressed independent institutions. The organization also mentions the popular protests of residents in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. It emphasizes that Rahmon went to this region and brutally suppressed peaceful protests. He also imprisoned hundreds of people on false charges.

The legal organization Freedom House states that Tajikistan has become a closed society where dictatorship is developing and political competition is absent. Pluralism is also prevented, and political and civil rights of people are widely violated.

The document states that power in Tajikistan is highly centralized. Civil society faces excessive restrictions from the government. Freedom of speech has disappeared, and independent media are virtually non-existent. Independent reporting or criticism of the government is subject to prosecution and severe punishment. The organization identified the judicial system and the development of corruption in Tajikistan as factors hindering the country’s progress towards democratic societies.

According to the “Freedom House” report, the level of democracy implementation in Central Asian countries is low. Kyrgyzstan has the highest level, implementing a democratic system at 11 percent. Kazakhstan’s rating was 5 percent. Uzbekistan – 4 percent, Tajikistan – 1 percent, and Turkmenistan – 0 percent. To prevent crimes by autocratic countries, the organization suggests that democratic countries try to stop them through diplomatic channels. The organization proposes visa bans on high-ranking officials of these countries. It also suggests blocking their assets in EU and American countries.