Human rights in Tajikistan

Human rights in Tajikistan remain poor. Political opposition, religious freedoms and the press are heavily restricted.

The approach of the 2005 parliamentary elections brought increased closures of independent and opposition newspapers and attacks on journalists. In 2003 the government blocked access to the only Internet website run by the political opposition. Constitutional guarantees of a fair trial are not always observed, and torture often is used against individuals accused of crimes. Pretrial detention often is lengthy, and prosecutors control court proceedings. Prisons are overcrowded, and the incidence of tuberculosis and malnutrition is high among inmates.Violence against women is frequent, and Tajikistan is a source and transit point for trafficking in women.

Intimidation and killings of journalists

In the 1990s dozens of journalists were killed or went missing in Tajikistan.

Name change law

According to Ilan Greenberg writing in the New York Times, in 2007, Tajikstan's president, Emomali Rakhmon [sic] stated that the Slavic "-ov" ending must be dropped for all babies born to Tajik parents. The policy comes in the context of recent policies intended to remove vestiges of Soviet/Russian influence, while laws on this topic have existed since 1989. Some Tajiks have expressed confusion or opposition at the denial of the freedom to choose a name for one's child. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/world/asia/28tajikistan.html] However, the president, Emomali Rahmonov has stated that, the name change should be up to the will of each individual. [http://www.ozodi.org/specialsarticletext/2007/3/090E3DEC-E566-40CD-A6B7-9C6703408444.html]

Freedom of religion

Some activities of religious groups have been restricted by the requirement for registration with the State Committee on Religious Affairs. Islamic pilgrimages are restricted, and proselytizing groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses have suffered occasional persecution. Since October 22 2007, Jehovah's Witnesses have had their activities banned by the government for the reason of neglecting army duty. [ [http://www.jw-media.org/newsroom/index.htm?content=asia_pacific.htm Jehovah's Witnesses: Office of Public Information Authorized Site ] ]

LGBT rights

See also

* Central Asia Health Review

References

External links

* [http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/183/ Censorship in Tajikistan] - IFEX
* [http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/tjk-summary-eng Report on Tajikistan 2006] - Amnesty International
* [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78843.htm Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Tajikistan] - US Department of State
* [http://www.cahr.info/index_files/page0017.htm Record Breaking Winter Weather Hits Children in Tajikistan the Hardest] Central Asia Health Review Feb. 17, 2008