Human Rights and Freedom in Tajikistan

https://www.humantruth.info/tajikistan_human_rights_and_freedom.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2019

#gender #misogyny #tajikistan #tajikistan_gender #women

Tajikistan Republic of Tajikistan [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	135th best
Location	Asia
Population	9.1m₁
Life Expectancy	71.59yrs (2017)₂

Tajikistan is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Tajikistan does better than average in opposing gender inequality₃ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₄. However Tajikistan performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₅, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₆ (still low for Asia), freethought₇ (still good for Asia), LGBT equality in the 2020s₈ and in supporting press freedom₉. It falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to combatting modern slavery₁₀ and in its average Freedom in the World rating (amongst the worst in Asia). And finally, it is the worst in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₁₁. Persecution of critics and opposition politicians continues₁₂ and human rights defenders are harassed - 7 human rights lawyers have been arrested or imprisoned since 2014₁₂.

1. Tajikistan's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tajikistan #tolerance

Compared to Asia (2025)₁₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₃
1	Japan	31.6
2	Taiwan	41.3
3	S. Korea	44.8
	...
25	Cambodia	109.0
26	Kuwait	109.5
27	Lebanon	109.6
28	Tajikistan	109.9
29	Laos	113.3
30	China	113.4
31	Malaysia	117.2
32	Jordan	118.6
33	Azerbaijan	123.2
	Asia Avg	103.00
q=52.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₃
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
133	Central African Rep.	109.1
134	Kuwait	109.5
135	Lebanon	109.6
136	Tajikistan	109.9
137	Ivory Coast	110.4
138	Sao Tome & Principe	111.8
139	Tanzania	112.4
140	Laos	113.3
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₄. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₄.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₄, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₄.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Tajikistan stated:

“Tens of ethnic Pamiri protesters were killed by security forces as demonstrations were violently suppressed and an 'anti-terrorist operation' was launched in the east of the country. Activists, local leaders, journalists and bloggers were arrested and sentenced in unfair trials. Many reported being tortured. Access to information, including through the media and internet, remained heavily restricted. Domestic violence remained widespread with victims rarely securing justice or support. Afghan refugees continued to be detained and deported.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₅

“Tajikistan's human rights record worsened further in 2017, as authorities deepened a severe, widespread crackdown on free expression and association, peaceful political opposition activity, the independent legal profession, and the independent exercise of religious faith.
Well over 150 political activists, including a number of lawyers and journalists, remain unjustly jailed, and the relatives of dissidents who peacefully criticize the government from outside the country are subjected to violent retaliation orchestrated by authorities, including arbitrary detention, threats of rape, confiscation of passports and property, and vigilante justice at the hands of sometimes-violent mobs.
Torture remains a serious concern.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₂

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better₉
Pos.		2025₉
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
149	Laos	33.22
150	India	32.96
151	Bhutan	32.62
152	Tajikistan	32.21
153	Yemen	31.45
154	Iraq	30.69
155	Sudan	30.34
156	Bahrain	30.24
	Asia Avg	39.69
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

In terms of supporting press freedom, Tajikistan comes 152nd in the world.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₆

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

“Over the past year, at least 20 journalists have fled the country, fearing persecution for their professional activities. Journalists perceived to be critical of the government are subjected to harassment and intimidation. As a cult of personality around President Rahmon has risen, journalists are subjected to ever stricter provisions regarding the way they must refer to him and his family. As of April 2017, a new law mandates that all media must refer to Rahmon as “The Founderof Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.””
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₂

Averages by decade for Tajikistan (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s Average	2010s Average
Tajikistan:	31.00	55.51
World Rank:	115th	⇣ 144th
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₁₀
Pos.		Total Per 1000₁₀
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
152=	Afghanistan	13.00
152=	Kuwait	13.00
154	UAE	13.40
155	Tajikistan	14.00
156	Turkey	15.60
157	Saudi Arabia	21.30
158	Mauritania	32.00
159	Eritrea	90.30
	Asia Avg	9.89
	World Avg	7.15
q=160.

Tajikistan ranks 6th-worst in the world with regard to combatting modern slavery.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₇. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₁₈, Eritrea₁₈, Indonesia₁₉) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₁₈, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₂₀.

For more, see:

"The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Averages by decade for Tajikistan (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s Average	2020s Average
Tajikistan:	4.50	14.00
World Rank:	89th	⇣ 155th
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom

#freedom #politics

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better₆
Pos.		2014 Rank₆
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
80=	Bhutan	79
80=	Benin	79
82	Brazil	82
83	Tajikistan	83
84	Nepal	84
85=	Barbados	85
85=	Rwanda	85
87	India	87
	Asia Avg	94.6
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Tajikistan is positioned 83rd in the world regarding supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms.

The Human Freedom Index published by the Fraser Institute is...

“... a broad measure of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. It uses 79 distinct indicators of personal and economic freedom in the following areas: Rule of Law, Security and Safety, Movement, Religion, Association, Assembly, and Civil Society, Expression, Relationships, Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Access to Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, Regulation of Credit, Labor, and Business. [...]
The highest levels of freedom are in Western Europe, Northern Europe, and North America (Canada and the United States. The lowest levels are in the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. [...]
Countries in the top quartile of freedom enjoy a significant higher per capita income ($37,147) [compared with] the least-free quartile [at] $8,700). The HFI finds a strong correlation between human freedom and democracy.”
"The Human Freedom Index" by The Fraser Institute (2016)₂₁

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.4. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
198=	Myanmar	7.0
198=	Eritrea	7.0
198=	Central African Rep.	7.0
198=	Azerbaijan	7.0
198=	Sudan	7.0
198=	Turkmenistan	7.0
198=	Somalia	7.0
198=	Tajikistan	7.0
	Asia Avg	5.0
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Tajikistan ranks worst in the world regarding its average Freedom in the World rating.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Tajikistan (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average
Tajikistan:	6.3	5.6	6.2
World Rank:	178th	⇡ 169th	⇣ 180th
World Avg:	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.5. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better₅
Pos.		2017 Score₅
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
84=	Bahrain	-5
84=	Venezuela	-5
84=	Oman	-5
84=	Tajikistan	-5
84=	Lebanon	-5
84=	Mali	-5
84=	Israel	-5
91=	UAE	-6
	Asia Avg	-5.0
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Tajikistan ranks 78th in the world in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.6. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₄
Pos.		2009 Treaties₄
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
85=	Togo	16
85=	Belarus	16
85=	Seychelles	16
85=	Tajikistan	16
85=	Ghana	16
85=	Belize	16
85=	Monaco	16
85=	Latvia	16
	Asia Avg	12.7
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

With regard to its nominal commitment to Human Rights, Tajikistan ranks 84th in the world.

There are many international agreements on human rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of human rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

"Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.7. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₂
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₂
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
108	Armenia	11.00
109	Lithuania	11.03
110	Mozambique	11.04
111	Tajikistan	11.08
112	Ethiopia	11.13
113	Slovenia	11.13
114	Dominica	11.14
115	Benin	11.15
	Asia Avg	10.97
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Tajikistan comes 111th in the world in terms of speed of uptake of HR treaties.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

Tajikistan is on the way towards ending gender inequality but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

3.1. Gender Inequality

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #women

Gender Inequality Lower is better₃
Pos.		2022₃
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
64	Trinidad & Tobago	0.27
65	Libya	0.27
66	Turkey	0.27
67	Tajikistan	0.28
68=	Brunei	0.28
68=	Georgia	0.28
70	Barbados	0.29
71	Argentina	0.30
	Asia Avg	0.33
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Tajikistan ranks 67th in the world when it comes to opposing gender inequality.

The UN Human Development Reports include statistics on gender equality which take into account things like maternal mortality, access to political power (seats in parliament) and differences between male and female education rates. Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchalism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

Averages by decade for Tajikistan (for the ranks, lower is better):

Gender Inequality	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average
Tajikistan:	0.53	0.37	0.33
World Rank:	70th	⇡ 63rd	⇣ 66th
World Avg:	0.44	0.41	0.37

3.2. Gender Biases

#gender #gender_equality #prejudice #women

Gender Biases Lower is better₁₁
Pos.		2022 %₁₁
1	Sweden	31.8₂₃
2	New Zealand	34.4₂₄
3	Australia	37.0₂₄
	...
81	Nigeria	99.5₂₄
82	Malaysia	99.5₂₄
83	Egypt	99.6₂₄
84	Indonesia	99.7₂₄
85	Libya	99.7₂₄
86	Pakistan	99.8₂₄
87	Qatar	99.8₂₃
88	Tajikistan	99.9₂₄
	Asia Avg	94.24
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Tajikistan comes worst in the world when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators).

The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) looks at gender biases across seven criteria; the % given here is for the total people who are biased across any of those criteria. By subtracting the value from 100%, you can see that those who do well on this index, you are seeing a count of those who do not appear to be biased against women in any of the criteria, and so, doing well on this index is a very positive sign for any country.

The data was included in UN (2022) with full results in Annex table AS6.7.1; their data stems for ranges between 2005 and 2022, depending on the country in question.

3.3. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
26=	Armenia	1921
26=	Georgia	1921
28	Ireland	1922
29=	Tajikistan	1924
29=	Mongolia	1924
29=	St Lucia	1924
32	Turkmenistan	1927
33	UK	1928
	Asia Avg	1907
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Tajikistan ranks 29th in the world in terms of the year from which women could participate in democracy.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

"Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₈
Pos.		Total Score₈
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
136	Armenia	-2.34
137	Azerbaijan	-2.45
138	St Kitts & Nevis	-2.48
139	Tajikistan	-2.50
140	Indonesia	-2.55
141	Barbados	-2.63
142	Turkmenistan	-2.68
143	Palestine	-2.72
	Asia Avg	-2.08
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215.

Tajikistan comes 139th in the world in terms of LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₂₅. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₂₆. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₂₇. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s₂₈_,₂₉. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

" LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Homosexuality in Tajikistan has been legal since 1998, since the soviet-era Article 121 was repealed, which had previously made it illegal to be a male homosexual. Same-sex marriage and civil unions are banned. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Tajikistan had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination. Since 2016 in particular, LGBT people face severe homophobic discrimination, harassment, and state surveillance, with no anti-discrimination protections in place.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇣ Opposed a 2003 resolution at the UN Commission tabled by Brazil, on prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and opposed it again in 2004 (it was defeated both times by the Vatican and a collection of Islamic countries).
⇣ Opposed the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.

Averages by decade for Tajikistan (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s Average	1980s Average	1990s Average	2000s Average	2010s Average	2020s Average
Tajikistan:	-3.00	-3.00	-2.65	-2.50	-1.10	-2.50
World Rank:	79th	⇣ 85th	⇣ 102nd	⇣ 111th	⇣ 120th	⇣ 139th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₇
Pos.		2021₇
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
110=	Paraguay	3.3
110=	Singapore	3.3
110=	Vanuatu	3.3
110=	Tajikistan	3.3
110=	Zambia	3.3
110=	Trinidad & Tobago	3.3
110=	St Lucia	3.3
110=	Dominican Rep.	3.3
	Asia Avg	3.7
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

Still good for Asia in terms of freethought, Tajikistan comes 109th in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₃₀. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₃₁. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₃₂ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₃₃. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₃₄. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan₇_,₃₅ and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia₇_,₃₆.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₃₇. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₃₁, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₃₈ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₃₉ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

"Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).

5. Freedom of Belief and Religion

#islam #religion_in_tajikistan #tajikistan

Religion seems to be tightly controlled in TajikIstan, but it is Islam in particular that been made the subject to prejudiced and draconian legislation, combined with some harassment of those perceived to be Muslims₁₂. A book-registration and blacklisting scheme is being used to limit the import of religious books₁₂. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom designates Tajikistan as a "country of particular concern" with respect to religious freedom₁₂.

“In August, continuing a multi-year campaign of strict control of religious practices, authorities introduced a new law urging citizens to "stick to traditional and national dress." While carrying no penalties, the law appears to specifically discourage women from wearing the Islamic hijab. ... Authorities installed surveillance cameras in numerous mosques and subjected men wearing long beards to harassment and intimidation, in some cases forcibly shaving their beards. [...]
Tajikistan´s Culture Ministry announced [in 2017] that books may not be brought into or taken out of the country without written approval, regardless of the language of the texts. Travelers are required to fill out an application “citing the name of the books, stating their language, the place of publication (and) the name of the authors�” Tajikistan´s State Religious Affairs Committee and Interior Ministry have compiled a blacklist of banned books, most religious in nature, but also including books of spells.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₂