DUSHANBE, August 1, 2012, Asia-Plus — The report by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor within the U.S. Department of State on religious freedom in Tajikistan for 2011 notes Tajikistan’s constitution protects religious freedom; however, other laws and policies restrict religious freedom and, in practice, the government enforced some of those restrictions. The government reportedly demonstrated a trend toward deterioration in respect for and protection of the right to religious freedom.
Most minority religious communities were able to attend places of worship, but only Muslim adult men and their sons, upon approved petition, were allowed to attend mosques. Organizations that did not reregister or that the government refused re-registration were closed. The government continued to express concern about religious practices and groups that it claims represent a foreign ideology or present a threat to social order. During the year, the government required all persons studying religion abroad to register with the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA), the Ministry of Education (MoE), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government also maintained bans on religious groups (Jamoat Tabligh, Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Salafi Group) it classified as “extremist.” The MoE maintained a dress code banning the hijab (women’s headscarf) in schools and universities on the premise of preserving the secular education system. The government generally enforced legal restrictions on religious freedom, interpreting its right to restrict religious activity very broadly and essentially requiring that any activity be government-approved to be legal.
There were reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Some women who wore the hijab and men with beards were discriminated against in seeking employment.
The U.S. government regularly discussed religious freedom with government officials, including members of the CRA, as part of its overall policy to promote human rights and engage religious communities. The ambassador met regularly with the CRA chairman to address U.S. government concerns regarding religious freedom and new laws that may further restrict this freedom. Embassy staff and visiting U.S. government officials met regularly with community leaders of different religious groups. Embassy staff investigated instances of potential discrimination and discussed such cases with the government.
