The report is mainly focused on the persecution of Pamiris – residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan – in 2021-2022, unprecedented for the entire period of Tajikistan’s independence. The difficult economic situation in the region, neglecting the identity of Pamiris (non-inclusion in the population census as a separate group, suppression of any initiatives to expand the use of Pamiri languages), underrepresentation of Pamiris in state bodies and public administration – all this has become the background for the recent escalation of repression. Thus, at least 34 participants of peaceful protests were killed, more than 200 people were arrested, dozens of Pamiri activists were sentenced to long prison terms, hundreds had to seek asylum abroad.
ADC Memorial draws the Committee’s attention to the non-implementation of a number of previous recommendations. Among them, this is the reluctance of the Tajik authorities to adopt an action plan to improve the situation of Mugat (Jughi), although there is an urgent need to overcome discrimination against this minority, ensure access to education for all children, especially girls, equal rights to housing, social services, and medical care.
The UN CERD will consider the state report of Tajikistan at the 109th session on April 20-21, 2023.