Tajikistan has once again been included in the list of “repressive” and “unfree” countries

In a new report by Freedom House, Tajikistan scored only 5 points out of a possible 100 in the global freedom ranking and was included in the list of “repressive” and “unfree” countries.

The international organization Freedom House published a new report titled “Election Manipulations and Armed Conflicts” on February 29, noting that in 2023, the level of freedom worldwide has been characterized by a decline for the 18th consecutive year. In fifty-two countries, which account for one-fifth of the world’s population, the situation regarding political rights and civil liberties has worsened. This deterioration has been widespread and severe, the report states.

The organization notes that the civil society rating in Tajikistan has decreased from 1.25 points to 1.00 due to systemic repression against the civil sector in Tajikistan and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), resulting in the arrest of hundreds of activists both inside and outside the country.

As noted in correspondence with Radio Ozodi by Catherine Groth, a research analyst at Freedom House for the Middle East and North Africa, “the level of freedom in Tajikistan decreased by two points in 2023 due to ongoing actions to suppress freedom of expression and discrimination against the Pamiri minority.”

According to her, over the past ten years – from 2013 to 2023 – there has been a sharp decline in the level of freedom in Tajikistan.

Catherine Groth pointed out that this situation negatively affects political rights and civil liberties and is a result of the leadership of autocratic President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in power since 1992.

“Journalists and bloggers who expressed their views both in writing and verbally are being persecuted and threatened by the authorities. Last year, several journalists were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms, and the authorities continue to suppress and censor the free press,” the Freedom House report states.

According to Freedom House experts, pressure on press freedom in Tajikistan has led even ordinary citizens to be cautious in expressing their opinions to avoid potential persecution.

The report also notes that the authorities severely suppressed protests in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in 2022 and arrested dozens of people, while in 2023, the Pamiri community faced even harsher discrimination.

The authorities of Tajikistan have not yet responded to this report from the international organization. However, earlier, the authorities accused human rights organizations of having a “biased and one-sided” approach.

Over the past ten years, arrests of activists, politicians, and journalists in Tajikistan have increased, leading to their prolonged imprisonment, and there have been rising instances of protest suppression in GBAO. International human rights organizations are calling on the country’s authorities to end political repression, but the restriction of freedoms and rights continues to intensify.