Tajikistan
Tajikistan should uphold its international obligations to guarantee freedom of expression on and offline, and refrain from media harassment and digital rights violations.
Even though Tajikistan’s laws guarantee freedom of expression and protection of media, it remains one of the most repressive countries in the world. Tajikistan’s government has consolidated political power, suppressed opposition, and has intensified its quest to further control independent media, telecommunications companies, internet service providers and online civic space. The state also shuts out independent media and critical voices online through harassment, intimidation, blocking of websites and entire social media platforms and messaging services, as well as implementing complete internet shutdowns. With only 34.9% internet penetrationaccess remains a luxury due to the high cost and low penetration rate. Tajikistan does not have a holistic data and privacy law and local authorities leverage vague language in different laws to censor voices, persecute civil activists, media and journalists in the country. The situation is further exacerbated by the local authorities who frequently resort to total internet shutdowns limiting the flow of information, especially during heightened political or security events happening in the country.
26.7%
Households with internet access in 2020
22%
Individuals using internet in 2020
0
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2020
152/180
Press Freedom Ranking in 2022
Upr cycle
Tajikistan was last reviewed in October 2021.
Digital Rights and Free Expression Recommendations
Resources
Partner organisations
Over a hundred local and international human rights organisations are part of the wider Uproar programme. You can find them listed here.
Tajikistan cluster
The country clusters are a local working group in each Uproar target country made up of our partner organisations. The clusters are organised by local lead organisations, who then coordinate local civil society and human rights defenders with digital rights expertise to engage in national-level advocacy and campaigning.