On February 3, a high-level international conference was held in  Dushanbe, dedicated to the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), the  exploration of pathways to its ratification, and the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism  (NPM) in Tajikistan. 

Press release issued by the EU Delegation to Tajikistan says the event was attended by representatives of the Human Rights Guarantees Department of President’s Executive Office, the Office of the Human Rights  Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Tajikistan and other state bodies of the country, as well  as Ambassadors of the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries accredited in  Tajikistan, members of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, and representatives of  international and national civil society organizations. 

The conference was organized by the public organization “Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law”  jointly with the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Republic of Tajikistan and a partner  organization— Center for Development and Justice International—within the framework of the  implementation of the following projects: 

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“Advancing Fundamental Rights: Strengthening Civil Society, Preventing Torture and Transforming  Prisons for Human Rights in Tajikistan”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the  Bureau of Human Rights in partnership with the public organization “Tashabbusi Huquqi” and the  French organization Prison Insider. 

“Supporting National Human Rights Institutions and NPMs in Preventing Torture and Monitoring  Places of Detention in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan”, funded by the UK FCDO in partnership with the  Center for Development and Justice International (CIDJ). 

Within the framework of these initiatives, a pilot group for monitoring places of deprivation and  restriction of liberty was established in Tajikistan, comprising staff of the Office of the Human Rights  Commissioner and representatives of civil society. Members of the group have received practical  training, applied standardized monitoring tools and carried out joint visits to places of deprivation and  restriction of liberty. As a result of this work, a comprehensive monitoring report with findings and  recommendations is being prepared. 

Delivering the opening remarks, a representative of the Human Rights Guarantees Department of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan, Hokimbek Sodiqzoda, noted: “For the  effective implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,  Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, we need to carry out profound and systematic reforms  prior to its ratification. Various documents have repeatedly emphasized the decision of the Government  of the Republic of Tajikistan to ratify the Optional Protocol. Despite the considerable time that has  passed, the continuous and joint efforts of the Government, international organizations, and civil society  have never ceased, and significant progress can be observed towards the ratification of the said  instrument”. 

In his speech, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Republic of Tajikistan, Umed Bobozoda, emphasized: “The issue of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture has been included in the National Action Plans of the Republic of Tajikistan since 2012. Working and monitoring  groups have been established under the Human Rights Commissioner, whose activities may form the  basis for the introduction of a National Preventive Mechanism ensuring regular monitoring of places of  deprivation and restriction of liberty in order to prevent torture”. 

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In his opening address, the Ambassador of the European Union to Tajikistan, Radoslaw Darski, stated:  “Today’s conference is not an end in itself. It is an opportunity to deepen understanding, address concerns, and chart a realistic and nationally owned path forward. The European Union encourages Tajikistan to continue exploring OPCAT ratification with openness and ambition, and to engage all relevant stakeholders in shaping a strong pre-emptive framework” 

In turn, the British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Catherine Smitton, emphasized: “I welcome Tajikistan’s readiness to strengthen oversight of places of detention and call for the swift ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. This will be an important signal of reform, particularly within the prison system, and a step towards sustainable development. The forthcoming Universal Periodic Review provides an appropriate opportunity to ratify the Protocol as part of a broad and ambitious agenda.” 

The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Tajikistan, Parvati Ramaswamy, stated that the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, as a practical and preventive instrument, would represent an important milestone for the country. 

“The Government of Tajikistan has already taken steps to strengthen the national legal framework and monitoring mechanisms in the area of torture prevention under the Convention against Torture, which was ratified in 1995. I call for continued dialogue and efforts to build trust in order to accelerate the ratification of OPCAT by the Government of Tajikistan,” Parvati Ramaswamy emphasized. 

Speaking at the conference, Susan Kerr, Head of the Human Rights Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), stated: “Civil society is a crucial part of the torture prevention ecosystem. That's why it's so important to us at ODIHR to work closely with civil society organizations. Dialogue and cooperation across the board are vital to drive the ongoing prevention process forward”. 

The Director of the public organization “Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law”, Nargis Zokirova,  noted that the conference is aimed at developing strategic dialogue between state authorities,  parliamentarians, the judiciary, civil society institutions and international experts, including  representatives of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. “The main objective of the event is to facilitate the process of OPCAT ratification and to discuss practical steps for the institutionalization of the NPM in accordance with international standards,” she stressed. 

The event was held with financial support from the European Union and the British Embassy in Tajikistan through the FCDO, with co-funding from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for  Human Rights and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). 

After several days of unusually warm, almost spring-like weather, Tajikistan is set to experience a sharp deterioration in weather conditions. Heavy precipitation is expected in the second half of February 5 and on February 6 in districts subordinate to the center, as well as in some foothill areas of Khatlon province, according to the country’s Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet).

In lowland areas, precipitation will fall as a mix of rain and snow, while foothill and mountainous regions are expected to receive mostly snowfall. Colder winter conditions are set to return across the country.

Meteorologists warn of heavy snowfall on mountain passes, which is likely to complicate traffic conditions. Snowdrifts, fog, reduced visibility, and a high risk of avalanches are forecast.

The risk of snow avalanches will remain particularly high on February 5 along the 48–74 kilometer section of the Dushanbe–Chanak highway, especially on the Maikhoura–Zideh stretch in Varzob district, as well as in mountainous arears subordinate to the center.

Air temperatures in lowland, foothill, and mountainous areas are expected to drop to –10°C …–12°C.

Authorities urge residents, especially drivers, to avoid traveling to mountainous and avalanche-prone areas unless absolutely necessary.

Earlier forecasts indicated that February 2026 in Tajikistan is expected to be warmer than average overall. In most regions, average monthly temperatures are projected to exceed the climatic norm by 1°C–2°C, while precipitation levels are expected to be normal or above normal. Strong winds and fog are also possible in some areas.

In Khatlon province and lowland districts subordinate to the center, average monthly temperatures are forecast to be above normal, ranging from +4°C …+8°C in valleys and 0°C …+3°C in foothill areas. Sharp temperature fluctuations and short-term cold spells are possible.

In Sughd province, temperatures are expected to be near normal or up to 1°C above average: +2°C …+4°C in valleys and –3°C …–5°C in mountainous areas, with noticeable day-to-night variations.

In mountainous districts subordinate to the center and in the western part of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), average monthly temperatures will be close to normal, locally up to 1°C higher, with occasional nighttime drops to –10°C …–15°C.

Precipitation is forecast to be at or above normal levels, ranging from 37–130 mm in mountainous areas, up to 141 mm on the southern slopes of the Hisor Range, and 8–59 mm in the western part of GBAO. Strengthening westerly winds of up to 17–22 m/s and fog are also expected.

Every third school student in Tajikistan earns “good” or “excellent” grades, according to inspections conducted by the Agency for Supervision in Education in 408 schools. The overall achievement rate, which also includes passing grades, reaches nearly 80%.

On paper, the picture appears relatively positive: most students are deemed to have “mastered the curriculum.” But a key question remains — what do these grades actually represent, and can they truly reflect the quality of education?

What school performance really depends on

Sociologist Gulnora Beknazarova emphasizes that academic performance cannot be separated from the conditions in which a child lives. Learning outcomes are shaped by region, infrastructure, and whether schools are adequately staffed.

Family resources also matter — the ability to provide school supplies, transportation, warm clothing, and proper nutrition. Equally important is parents’ cultural capital: their capacity to support learning, help with homework, and engage with teachers.

Language of instruction is another critical factor. When the school language differs from the language spoken at home, children — especially in primary grades — face additional barriers to learning.

Family dynamics and social status also play a role.

“If a child has to care for younger siblings, lives in a disadvantaged household, or lacks proper nutrition, this directly affects academic results,” the expert notes.

Extracurricular opportunities such as libraries, clubs, and competitions can motivate students, while gender norms in Tajikistan continue to influence boys’ and girls’ educational paths differently.

Labor migration is a particularly sensitive issue.

“When parents are absent or overworked, supervision weakens and responsibility shifts to children. This is especially evident when mothers combine paid work with all household duties,” Beknazarova explains.

Low academic performance, she stresses, is not about a “bad student” or a “weak teacher,” but a signal of systemic problems at the intersection of school, family, economy, and social environment.

“Grades alone cannot measure education quality”

Veteran teacher Nargis Qurbonova, with 30 years of experience, says schools — and children — have changed dramatically. Discipline once relied on obedience; today students increasingly ask “why?”

This does not indicate laziness or disrespect, she says, but reflects a new reality in which schools are no longer unquestioned authorities. In the past, there were more top students — but also more children who were simply pushed out of the system. Today, schools try to retain students even when learning is difficult.

In her fourth-grade graduating class of around 50 students, about 20% are top performers, 40% are solid achievers, and another 40% have basic proficiency.

“There is no longer a systemic category of ‘failing students.’ A ‘C’ grade in primary school is not a verdict. Many children study in a non-native language, and progress matters more than the mark itself,” she says.

Poor performance rarely has a single cause. Overloaded curricula, unequal starting points, teacher burnout, and large class sizes all contribute. Even the shift to a 10-point grading scale, while helpful, does not fully reflect real learning.

“A grade is just a snapshot of one day. Skills like critical thinking, reasoning, and reading comprehension don’t fit neatly into numbers,” Qurbonova explains.

When the system fails remote schools

Education challenges are even more visible in the regions. An educator from Khorog with long experience in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) says formal oversight often fails due to lack of resources.

Inspectors cannot regularly reach remote schools, leaving real conditions outside official statistics. Shortages of modern textbooks and outdated curricula remain serious problems.

Teacher training is another weak point. Although courses formally exist, schools and local authorities often lack funds to send teachers for professional development.

There is also internal pressure within schools.

“If a teacher gives too many low grades, they are told they’re doing a bad job. As a result, grades are inflated for the sake of reporting,” the expert says.

Assessment standards also vary widely, making official figures unreliable.

“These percentages are very conditional. In reality, the situation may be far worse,” he admits.

How grades shape a child’s self-esteem

Clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist Nigor Abdughaffor notes that for children, grades are closely tied to self-perception.

“Children often can’t separate ‘I did poorly on a test’ from ‘I am bad,’” she explains.

Low grades can trigger anxiety, fear of school, and avoidance behaviors, eventually undermining motivation. One of the most serious outcomes is “learned helplessness” — when a child stops believing effort can change anything. This mindset often carries into adulthood.

At the same time, excessively high grades can also be harmful.

“They create conditional self-worth: I am valued only if I perform perfectly,” she says.

According to Abdughaffor, the education system remains focused on results and rankings rather than development. She contrasts this with Western practices where mistakes are allowed and corrected without fear.

“In a healthy system, grades provide feedback — what worked and how to improve. In an unhealthy one, grades answer the question ‘Who am I?’ And that’s where many problems begin,” she concludes.

Tajikistan will not be represented at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The country will miss the Winter Olympics for the third consecutive Olympic cycle, while its Central Asian neighbors have successfully qualified and formed their national delegations.

According to Olympics.com, the Milan–Cortina Games will mark another major milestone for Central Asia, but Tajik athletes will once again remain absent from the region’s main winter sporting event. While Kazakhstan is assembling one of the largest delegations in the region, and Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are making incremental progress, Tajikistan has failed to secure a place at the Games.

Tajikistan did not earn a single Olympic quota for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The last time athletes from the country competed at the Winter Games was in 2014 in Sochi. The PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Olympics were also held without Tajik participation, and Milan–Cortina continues this streak.

Despite attempts by individual athletes to qualify in alpine skiing, they were unable to achieve the required ranking points or demonstrate consistent results at international competitions. Experts note that the main obstacles to the development of winter sports in Tajikistan remain the lack of a systematic infrastructure, a limited competition calendar, and weak domestic competition.

Central Asia at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Kazakhstan will be the leading representative of Central Asia at the 2026 Winter Games. The country’s delegation will include 36 athletes, accounting for nearly the entire Central Asian contingent. Kazakhstan will compete in figure skating, freestyle skiing (aerials), biathlon, cross-country skiing, speed skating, short track speed skating, alpine skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.

Uzbekistan will be represented in alpine skiing and short track speed skating. Participation in short track will mark a significant historical milestone for the country.

Kyrgyzstan will send two athletes to the Olympics, competing in alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. This format reflects the country’s traditional approach, focusing on individual qualification slots.

Turkmenistan, as in previous years, will not take part in the Winter Olympic Games. Throughout its history, the country has never competed in a Winter Olympics, and 2026 will be no exception.

Olympics 2026: a New-Generation Games

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026. A total of 2,871 athletes from 93 countries will compete for 116 sets of medals across 16 sports disciplines.  

The Milano–Cortina 2026 program will be one of the most diverse in the history of the Winter Games. It will include 16 disciplines, such as biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, luge, short track speed skating, skeleton, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and freestyle skiing. Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut, with medals awarded in men’s and women’s sprint events as well as a mixed relay.

Several countries, including Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates, will be represented at the Winter Olympics for the first time in history.

The 2026 Games will be the 25th Winter Olympics in history, the fourth hosted by Italy, and the first in which Milan holds Olympic host city status. Cortina d’Ampezzo previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956.