In 2025, 123 crimes related to beatings and harassment of soldiers, violence against superiors, unauthorized absence from service, and desertion were identified in the military units of Tajikistan.
The Human Rights Commissioner reported in their annual report about the punishment of 10 military recruitment officers for mistreatment and failure to perform official duties.
In his report, the Ombudsman stated that last year a total of 66 crimes were registered related to beatings and harassment of soldiers (Article 373 of the Criminal Code), violence against superiors (Article 370 of the Criminal Code), and abuse of power or official position (Article 391 of the Criminal Code). However, it is not reported how many people were punished in these cases.
The report notes that in 2025, 20 soldiers left their place of service without permission or deserted. They were punished for unauthorized absence from their military unit.
However, it is not specified what exact punishment these young people received.
Additionally, 37 people were punished for abuse of power or official position, exceeding official and service authority (Article 391 of the Criminal Code).
The Ombudsman reported that inspections were conducted in four military units of the Ministry of Defense in Khorog and Ishkashim of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), Konibodom and Bobojon-Ghafourov of the Sughd province, during which representatives from the Human Rights Commissioner’s office familiarized themselves with the state of rights compliance and living conditions of soldiers.
Representatives of the Human Rights Commissioner’s office reportedly spoke with 42 officers and 52 soldiers, asking questions about possible violence and humiliation among soldiers and officers, unauthorized absence from military units, and soldiers being assigned to non-service-related work.
According to the Ombudsman, the leadership of the military units is taking necessary measures to prevent beatings and torture of soldiers and to address shortcomings.
«Monitoring of military units showed that soldiers’ sleeping places meet sanitary and hygienic standards. They are provided with uniforms, and household and leisure facilities are equipped with necessary means», the report notes.
Last year, the Ombudsman reviewed three complaints related to the conscription of youth for military service. Specifically, one citizen complained about the illegal conscription of his son by the military recruitment officers in Konibodom city.
This complaint was reviewed by the Prosecutor-General’s Office, resulting in the soldier undergoing an examination and being deemed unfit for service.
Previously, the Supreme Court informed Asia-Plus that last year the country’s courts reviewed 120 criminal cases against 96 young people for evading military service, sentencing 27 of them to imprisonment and fining 69 others.
Annually, with the start of the conscription campaign, the issue of forced conscription of youth into the Armed Forces, service conditions, and mistreatment becomes relevant.
Inadequate conditions, cruel treatment of soldiers, hazing, and the death of young people in military units are considered the main reasons for youth evading military service in Tajikistan.
