Tajikistan

Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Pressure Builds on Central Asia Media

Freedom of speech in Central Asia has deteriorated in recent years, with fresh restrictions on media and bloggers alike and a growing number of criminal cases initiated against journalists.

3 May 24

Saidakrami Murodalii Rachabalizoda suspected of taking part in the attack of a concert hall that killed 137 people, the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, is escorted by Russian law enforcement officers prior to his pre-trial detention hearing at the Basmanny District Court in Moscow on March 24, 2024. © TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Tajik Migrants Brace for Moscow’s Ire

Their situation has been deteriorating for the past few years, but the Crocus concert hall atrocity has accelerated events.

3 Apr 24

Smoke from a power station billows into the air over grazing cattle 20km from Bishkek in Novopokrovka. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Women in Central Asia Lead on Climate Change

Campaigners tackle widespread scepticism and lack of understanding of crisis.

6 Mar 24

Largely populated by ethnic Tajiks, Gelon sits at 2,336 metres, surrounded by the Hisar range, part of the Pamir-Alay mountain system. It can take up to three hours to cover the 70 kilometres from Uzbkistan’s southern city of Shakhrisabz to reach this high-altitude village. © Abdulhak Turgunov

The Tajik Community on Uzbekistan’s Highlands

Surrounded by the Pamir mountain range, a remote village keeps customs alive.

17 Oct 23

In recent months, Central Asian migrants have increasingly suffered at the hands of the Russian state. © Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Pressure on Central Asian Migrants in Russia Grows

Reports suggest that authorities are forcing workers to choose between deportation or fighting in Ukraine.

26 Jul 23

Tajik journalists near Kokhi Somon, the presidential residence, in Dushanbe in July 2021. Journalists and rights groups say that the space for independent media in Tajikistan is shrinking as criminal cases against reporters are on the rise, fostering self-censorship and democracy backsliding. © IWPR Central Asia

Tajikistan’s Turn of the Screw Against Media

Crackdown has turned journalism into a dangerous profession in the Central Asian nation.

3 May 23

Women dance to mark Navruz in Baysun, a village in Uzbekistan’s south-eastern region of Surkhandarya. The village is known for its festival, the Baysun Bahori, meaning Spring of Baysun. © Abdulkhak Turgunov

Celebrating Navruz, the Spring Jubilee

Communities gather to prepare sweetmeats, spring clean their neighbourhoods and play equestrian games.

5 Apr 23

Tajikistan: Authorities Arrest Bloggers for “Immorality”

Harassment for posting allegedly obscene content seen as a means to further shrink freedom of speech.

14 Mar 23

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan. © Courtesy of N. Tsoi, F. Abdueva, S. Zulkaynarova and A. Yakubova.

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Women who dream of taking on combat disciplines have to first defy conservative traditions.

8 Mar 23

Tajik Migrants Coerced Into Russian Army

Reports grow that foreign workers are being forced to join Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

17 Nov 22

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