A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), World Report 2020, notes that Tajikistan’s human rights situation worsened further in 2019.
Authorities reportedly continued a crackdown on government critics, jailing opposition activists, journalists, and even social media users perceived to be disloyal for lengthy prison terms.
Freedom of expression and religion are severely restricted, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are subjected to intimidation, and the internet is heavily censored, according to the report. Authorities reportedly harassed relatives of peaceful dissidents abroad and used politically motivated extradition requests made via INTERPOL, the international police organization, to forcibly return political opponents from abroad.
Concerning freedom of expression, the report says authorities regularly block access to a wide spectrum of internet news and social media sites, including YouTube, Facebook, and Radio Ozodi, the Tajik service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. They also cut access to mobile and messaging services.
Over 25 journalists have reportedly been forced in recent years to leave the country and to live in exile.
According to the repot, journalists are frequently the subject of attacks. The report says that according to the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit), it receives at least 10 reports each month from journalists regarding threats and restrictions on access to information while conducting their work.
In July, Russian officials blocked the website of Asia-Plus, Tajikistan’s leading independent news agency. Later, in August, the agency’s web addresses based in Tajikistan were taken offline globally when unknown persons changed technical settings in the systems of the internet service provider.
The World Report 2020 is Human Rights Watch’s 30th annual review of human rights practices around the globe. The 652-page volume reviews human rights practices and trends in nearly 100 countries.
