Tajikistan Home - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 47

Tajikistan to Modernize Energy, Cotton, and Education Sectors with EU Grants

On March 14, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela arrived in Tajikistan. He met with President Emomali Rahmon to reaffirm the European Union’s commitment to the country through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. During their meeting, Síkela and Rahmon discussed the state and future of EU-Tajikistan relations, as well as pressing regional issues. Their talks focused on expanding economic and trade ties, attracting investments in industry and agriculture, and securing funding for hydropower projects. Rahmon emphasized Tajikistan’s commitment to green technologies and its goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources under the Strategy for the Development of the Green Economy until 2037. EU’s New Funding for Tajikistan During his visit, Síkela announced several new EU funding initiatives aimed at strengthening Tajikistan’s sustainable development. According to the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, two key agreements were signed with Team Europe partners to drive sustainability efforts in the country: A €20 million investment grant with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to modernize Tajikistan’s electricity grid, reduce energy losses, and prepare for future renewable energy investments. This aligns with the EU’s broader goal of enhancing energy security and supporting the green transition in Central Asia. A €20 million grant with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Agency for International Cooperation, to promote sustainability in Tajikistan’s cotton sector. The initiative will support certified sustainable cotton production, improve processing for high-quality exports, and create new opportunities for the domestic private sector. Additionally, the EU announced a €10 million disbursement as part of a larger €30 million budget support program. This funding will help implement the National Strategy for Education Development 2030 and the Programme for Professional Training of Citizens 2021-2025, improving the quality and relevance of both general secondary education and vocational training. As part of his visit, Síkela toured the Rogun Hydropower Plant, a crucial project for Tajikistan’s energy infrastructure. “With its Global Gateway strategy, the EU is investing in Tajikistan’s future by supporting critical infrastructure upgrades, expanding renewable energy capacity, and modernizing key industries such as cotton production,” Síkela stated. “These investments will reduce energy losses, create jobs, and open new export markets”.

Central Asia Home Tajikistan Tajikistan Business Economy Business & Economy Tajikistan Home

EBRD and ADB Finance Upgrade of Key Road in Tajikistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan to finance the upgrade and expansion of the Dangara-Guliston road in Tajikistan. Built in the 1930s as part of a major international highway, this road serves as a crucial link between the north and south of the Khatlon region, an area that produces more than 53% of Tajikistan’s agricultural output and is home to 35% of the country’s population. Financing and Project Scope The EBRD’s sovereign loan of up to €38 million will help finance improvements to a 49-kilometer section of the road, including the construction of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $86.7 million (€83.5 million) in grant financing to support the project. The upgrades will convert the existing single-lane road into a dual-lane highway, significantly improving transportation efficiency and reducing cargo delivery times across the Khatlon region and beyond. Additionally, the upgraded road will feature: Improved lighting Cycle paths Pavements for pedestrians Electric Mobility and Sustainability This will be one of the first roads in Tajikistan equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs), encouraging wider EV adoption in the country. The EBRD will also provide a technical cooperation grant to develop a national electric mobility action plan, aimed at stimulating public and private investment in sustainable transportation infrastructure across Tajikistan. EBRD's Broader Investment in Tajikistan To date, the EBRD has invested over €1 billion in Tajikistan through 183 projects, supporting key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and private enterprise development.

Central Asia Turkmenistan Home Home Uzbekistan Tajikistan International Affairs Turkmenistan International Affairs Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Opinions Tajikistan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Tajikistan Opinions Uzbekistan Home Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan International Affairs Turkmenistan Opinions Kazakhstan Tajikistan Home Kazakhstan Opinions Kyrgyzstan Opinions Uzbekistan International Affairs Kazakhstan Home Kyrgyzstan Home

Opinion: How Central Asia Has Strengthened Ties with the West Since 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the relationship between Russia and Central Asia. Russia’s decision to invade a neighboring country, and the devastation and destruction that followed, has forced Central Asia to reconsider its relationship with the Russian Federation. Russia is no longer seen as an “invincible superpower,” meaning it cannot be relied on to protect other members of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization). In addition, the U.S. and European countries have levied heavy sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has attempted to evade these sanctions by conducting business with third parties, but the international community has warned several organizations and countries not to partake in these relations. Otherwise, should these businesses and countries opt to help Russia, then the international community has said that it will impose stiff penalties on these Russian intermediaries as well. Given these events, the Central Asian states have now been actively pursuing new relationships beyond Russia to bolster national, economic, and energy security within the region. During this process, China has attempted to assert itself as Central Asia’s new ally. Like Russia, China already has a significant trade relationship with Central Asia. In addition, China is Central Asia’s largest gas consumer, meaning the Chinese have attempted to force Central Asia into an economic and energy partnership. Despite this relationship, the countries of Central Asia have opted not to increase their reliance on China. Instead, recent developments have led them to improve their relations with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. But how has the West strengthened its relationship with Central Asia since 2022? Take, for example, the United States. When Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, the then U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss the war. During their meeting, Secretary Blinken stated that the United States supports Central Asia’s “sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.” He also said that the United States will continue to strengthen its relationship with the region. Since this meeting, Blinken has met with foreign ministers from Central Asia on several occasions in 2023 and 2024, where they further discussed how Central Asia can “develop the strongest possible capacities for their own security, their growing economic prosperity, and the strength and resilience of their societies.” Furthermore, U.S. President Joe Biden met with senior officials from Central Asia. During his meeting with his Central Asian counterparts in September 2023, Biden said that the United States would help “invest in and develop Central Asia’s energy infrastructure.” The United States also established a new business initiative with Central Asia, where the United States has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to the region. Then, during the United States-Central Asia Trade Investment Framework Council in June 2024, the United States and the Central Asian states discussed new investment opportunities and how they could diversify trade. These discussions were well received, and the United States called for future engagements between it and Central...

Central Asia Tajikistan Justice Home Justice Tajikistan Local Politics Tajikistan Tajikistan Features Tajikistan Home

Tajik Women Unite to Urge Rahmon to Grant Leniency for Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova

A group of 130 women in Tajikistan have appealed to President Emomali Rahmon, requesting leniency for journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, who was sentenced to eight years in prison. A Plea for Mercy In their appeal, the women expressed deep concern over the fate of Khakimova’s two young daughters, one of whom is an infant still in need of breastfeeding. “This verdict has shaken us to the core, but most of all, it has shattered the lives of her two tiny daughters, Shakhnura and Shukrona, who overnight lost the most precious thing a child has, a mother's love, warmth, and care. Ten-month-old Shukrona was deprived not only of her mother’s hands but also of her mother’s milk, which is not just nourishment but the very essence of the mother-child bond. We cannot imagine the pain of these children, who cannot yet speak but already feel the cruel emptiness that nothing and no one can fill,” the letter reads. The signatories emphasized that they were not calling for the sentence to be overturned but rather for clemency. They urged the government to apply legal mechanisms that would allow Khakimova to serve an alternative sentence while remaining with her children. “We believe there are lawful ways to take her motherhood into account and ensure that two young children are not left without maternal care,” the appeal stated. A Controversial Conviction Khakimova was charged with high treason under Article 305 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, with the case initiated by the General Prosecutor’s Office in June 2024. According to sources familiar with the investigation, her prosecution is linked to a survey on China’s influence in Tajikistan. She was sentenced on February 5 during a closed trial at the Dushanbe detention center, alongside other defendants in the so-called “coup d’état case”. Before the verdict, she had been allowed to remain free, albeit with restricted movement, due to her responsibilities as a mother. However, her documents had been confiscated, preventing her from traveling. Following the court ruling, she was taken into custody immediately. International Outcry International human rights organizations have condemned the sentence. The International Coalition for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders) has called for Khakimova’s immediate release. Similar statements have been issued by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), both of which have criticized the court’s decision.

Central Asia Tajikistan Justice Home Justice Tajikistan Tajikistan Features Tajikistan Home Features

International Human Rights Activists Demand Release of Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has strongly condemned the sentencing of Tajik journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, calling on Tajik authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally. In a statement issued on March 3, the Observatory asserted that Khakimova’s prosecution is linked to her participation in a politically sensitive poll on China’s influence in Tajikistan. The survey, commissioned by the Kyrgyz NGO Barometer, included interviews with political figures, some of whom belong to the opposition and face pressure from authorities. “Ms. Khakimova is officially charged with ‘high treason’ under Article 305 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code. This charge is part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup attempt, despite the absence of credible evidence. It is being used to suppress critical voices,” the statement said. Concerns Over Due Process and Human Rights Violations Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the secrecy of the trial, closed court sessions, and lack of transparency in the investigation. Activists argue that these factors indicate serious violations of due process. A particularly troubling aspect of the case is Khakimova’s separation from her two young children, who are two years old and nine months old. At the time of her arrest, she was still breastfeeding her younger child. Authorities have denied her mother’s request to bring the infant to the detention center, and her property has been confiscated, exacerbating her family’s financial difficulties. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has urged the Tajik government to: Release Khakimova immediately. Respect her rights as a mother and consider the wellbeing of her children. Ensure a fair and transparent judicial process. International Condemnation Several other human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have also condemned the eight-year prison sentence handed to Khakimova. The 31-year-old journalist was convicted of “complicity in high treason using her official position”, a charge that has sparked public outrage and widespread debate on social media. On February 13, the Chairman of Tajikistan’s Supreme Court acknowledged public criticism of the verdict but defended the decision, stating that Tajik law does not provide for leniency in cases involving “especially grave crimes”. Khakimova’s case has become a symbol of shrinking press freedoms in Tajikistan. With global human rights organizations increasing pressure, the Tajik government now faces growing calls to reconsider her sentence and uphold freedom of the press and due process.

Life & Culture Turkmenistan Home Tajikistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Life & Culture Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Home Kazakhstan Life & Culture Kazakhstan Tajikistan Home Uzbekistan Life & Culture Kazakhstan Home Kyrgyzstan Home

Central Asia Ranks Among Least Free in Freedom House’s 2025 Report

Freedom House has released its 2025 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide. Covering events from January 1 to December 31, 2024, the report is based on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing that freedom is best safeguarded in democratic societies. Countries are assessed on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater political and civil freedoms. Finland topped the ranking with 100 points, followed by New Zealand and Sweden with 99 points each. At the bottom were Tibet (0 points), Syria, and South Sudan (1 point each). Central Asia: All Countries Remain 'Not Free' Despite variations in scores, all five Central Asian states remain near the bottom of the global ranking, reflecting ongoing restrictions on political participation, press freedom, and civil liberties. All of the countries of Central Asia remain classified as “Not Free”: Kazakhstan - 23 points (5 in political rights, 18 in civil liberties) Kyrgyzstan - 26 points (4 in political rights, 22 in civil liberties) Tajikistan - 5 points (0 in political rights, 5 in civil liberties) Turkmenistan - 1 point (0 in political rights, 1 in civil liberties) Uzbekistan - 12 points (2 in political rights, 10 in civil liberties)