The United Kingdom welcomes Tajikistan's implementation of legislation aimed at reducing gender-based violence. We urge the authorities to take further action to protect the human rights of women, children, the LGBT community, and religious and minority groups.
The UK welcomes the 2020 Election Assessment Missions by the Office for Democratic Insitutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to the parliamentary and presidential elections. We remain concerned about restrictions on legitimate political opposition and encourage Tajikistan to follow up promptly on ODIHR's assessments and recommendations.
We recommend Tajikistan:
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Criminalise child, early and forced marriage as a distinct offence in national legislation, in line with international standards, and provide ongoing support to victims;
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Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation to end discrimination on the basis on gender identity and sexual orientation, and end the practice of maintaining lists of LGBT persons;
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Amend legislation which undermines the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and ensure that media workers can operate freely, both online and offline, through legal protections.
Thank you.
