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Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan Discussed at OSCE Conference

The deteriorating situation for journalists and freedom of speech in Tajikistan was discussed at the plenary session of the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw on October 2. Participants, including human rights defenders and civil society representatives, noted that arrests of journalists have become a common practice in the country. Some face harassment even outside Tajikistan. Gulnoza Said, program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists in Europe and Central Asia, said the situation with human rights and freedom of expression has reached a critical point. She said eight journalists, including Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, Daler Imomali, and Khushruz Dzhumayev, are currently in Tajik prisons. Said also emphasized that the sentences handed down to the journalists are incredibly harsh, ranging from seven to 20 years in prison. Muhammadjon Kabirov, editor-in-chief of Azda TV, broadcasting from Poland, noted that Tajikistan ranks 155th on the World Freedom of Expression Index, and its authorities have created a hostile environment for the media. Kabirov also recalled the transnational repression directed against journalists abroad. In his speech, he cited the conviction of journalists such as Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda and Abdukahor Davlat, who were sentenced to long prison terms in 2015. A recent example of pressure on the independent press was the arrest of the editor-in-chief of Pike, Ahmadi Ibrohim, who has been charged with bribery and is awaiting trial. The conference also raised the issue of Tajik authorities harassing journalists and their relatives to force them to stop their activities. Interestingly, although Tajikistan had previously taken an active part in such discussions, there were no representatives of Tajikistan at this year's event. International organizations have repeatedly criticized the situation with freedom of speech in Tajikistan. Organizations such as Amnesty International and Freedom House report the constant harassment of journalists, independent media, and activists. Opposition media outlets are banned in the country, and journalists face arrests and long prison terms on charges that human rights activists call trumped-up.

Migration Legislation Human rights passport Civil rights

Turkmenistan Forces Government Employees to Surrender Passports

Employees of state institutions in Turkmenistan are being forced to surrender their biometric passports. According to local sources, the migration service has been instructed to collect passports within a week and submit a report to the State Migration Service in Ashgabat. Workers from the education, healthcare, transportation and other sectors must surrender their passports, or provide a certificate to prove that they do not possess one. The requirement was verbally sent to state agencies in the country's Balkan region on September 9, and enforcement began immediately. “The heads of local organizations have announced to their employees: 'Either hand in your passports or don't come to work from tomorrow afternoon.' Even chief doctors at clinics and school directors must hand in their passports,” a state employee in the town of Turkmenbashi said. Attempts to get comments from the authorities on the measure -- which coincides with an increase in the number of citizens traveling abroad -- were unsuccessful. In addition, as the number of Turkmenistanis joining Russia's army in its war in Ukraine increases, passports have also been taken away from university students. In late August, students of the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute and the Turkmen State Medical University were forced to surrender their biometric documents.

Agriculture Cotton Human rights Justice harvest Labour

Turkmenistan Continues to Hide Forced Labor in Cotton Fields

Although the season has yet to officially open, cotton harvesting is already underway in Turkmenistan. As reported by Azatlyk correspondents, workers, including budgetary employees in the Lebap province, are being watched by Ministry of National Security (MNS) officers. These officers, tasked with preventing information about forced labor being leaked, have forbidden the use of cell phones in the fields. Turkmenistan has long been criticized for its use of forced labor on cotton plantations, and authorities continue to hide the reality. The increased control by security agencies coincides with a briefing in Ashgabat on measures discussed in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), to eradicate child and forced labor. Despite official bans, including an order issued by Labor Minister Muhammetseyit Sylabov in July this year prohibiting the employment of children under 18, child labor continues in some regions, including Kerki and Chardjev etraps, and teachers confirm that high school students, with their parents' consent, participate in cotton picking. At the same time, cotton pickers complain about underpayment. Employers also repeatedly renege on promised rates of pay and in Lebap, citing the poor quality of the cotton harvested, are known to withhold up to 50% of their workers' salaries, leading to inevitable conflict. Despite orders issued by the authorities to increase pickers' wages in accordance with the state's procurement prices for cotton, the workers' situation shows no sign of improving.

Legislation Human rights criminal prisoners Criminal Executive Code

Uzbekistan Adopts Law to Protect Prisoners’ Rights

Uzbekistan has introduced a new law to protect prisoners' rights. The new piece of legislation is formally called the law “On amendments and supplements to the Criminal-Executive Code of Uzbekistan aimed at ensuring the rights and legal interests of prisoners.” The Criminal Executive Code defines prisoners' rights to appeal to the ombudsman through the appeals box. Appeal boxes to the ombudsman will be installed in each residential sector of the Uzbekistan penal institutions, industrial zones, and buildings intended for holding short- and long-term meetings, where it is convenient for prisoners to leave appeals. In addition, appeal boxes for the children's ombudsmen will be installed in the educational colonies. It is reported that the boxes are opened only by the ombudsman, the children’s ombudsman, or the staff of their secretariats.

Islam Human rights Women's rights IPHR dress

Tajikistan Urged to Reconsider Ban on ‘Alien’ Clothing

The International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) has called on the Tajik authorities to repeal recent amendments to the law imposing restrictions on “foreign” clothing. According to activists, such restrictions violate international human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion. In a statement issued on August 19, IPHR emphasized that since clothing is an important element of personal identity as well as religious and cultural beliefs, states have an obligation to protect people's right to choose what they wear. According to amendments to the law “On the Ordering of Traditions, Celebrations and Rites”, enforced in June this year, Tajikistan prohibits “importing, propagandizing and selling clothes that do not correspond to the national culture.” Although a precise definition of such has yet to be provided, there has been a clear focus by authorities on “Islamic” clothing, and in particular, the issue of a fatwa by Tajikistan's Ulema Council urging women to avoid wearing “tight, black or see-through clothing.” Violations of the law are punishable by heavy fines or imprisonment for up to three years. IPHR continues to stress that restrictions based on religious, cultural, or traditional values cannot justify the violation of human rights The amendments were earlier condemned by The League of Muslim Scholars and other international organizations, and the Taliban even declared “jihad” against Tajikistan. In response to international criticism, Tajik authorities reiterated that the new law aims to protect national values and prevent extremism.

Russia Legislation Human rights Migrants Migrant Workers

Russia Wants to Ban Migrants’ Families

Russia is considering a bill that could restrict the right of migrant workers to bring their families into the country. The initiative from LDPR deputies, led by Leonid Slutsky, has already sparked active discussions among politicians and society. The main goal of the proposed law is to reduce the inflow of uncontrolled migration and the ensuing public tension. Particular reference is made to the many migrant families living in Russia who accumulate debts for public utilities and create enclaves where local laws and customs are often ignored. The bill suggests that with the exception of highly qualified specialists, the presence of a work contract or a patent, should no longer be a reason for migrants to move their families to Russia. This bill is not the only measure aimed at tightening the migration policy in Russia. In 2022, a “controlled stay” system was introduced, strengthening control over migrants on the country's territory. In recent years, Russia has also introduced labor migration quotas limiting the number of jobs available to foreign nationals, especially in construction, trade, and other low-skilled sectors. These quotas were further tightened, resulting in fewer migrants entering the country. Another measure was the introduction of compulsory health insurance for migrants, adding a financial burden to those coming to work in Russia. In addition, strict language and cultural integration requirements have been introduced, including mandatory Russian language training and exams on the country's history and culture. Such actions have drawn criticism from human rights activists, who believe that the restrictions could increase social tensions and make life difficult for migrants already living in Russia.