Article 18 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) protects religious freedoms. It asserts that everyone has the “freedom of thought, conscience, and religion,” including the right to “manifest their religious beliefs, practice, and worship, either alone or in community with others, in public or private.” Despite being a signatory to the UDHR, Tajikistan—a country bordering Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Afghanistan—has repeatedly infringed upon these rights.
Over 90% of Tajikistan’s population identifies as Muslim, yet even the majority faces severe restrictions on religious expression. According to the 2023 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, authorities have discouraged practices like wearing long beards or hijabs, both common among devout Muslims. Additionally, imams are required to submit their sermons for government approval, tightly controlling religious discourse.
The situation is even harsher for minority religious groups. Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, were labelled extremists in March 2021, and their activities remain banned. Similarly, the Pamiri people, followers of the Ismaili Shia branch of Islam, have been subjected to heavy surveillance. Many Pamiris have been detained or convicted under vague accusations of participating in “extremist” groups. This conflation of religious expression with extremism reflects patterns deeply rooted in Tajikistan’s history.
As a former Soviet republic, Tajikistan continues grappling with Soviet-era policies’ legacy. During this time, religious expression was tightly controlled, and atheist policies were strictly enforced. The Soviets dismantled religious institutions, persecuted leaders, and destroyed places of worship. Under Stalin’s rule, thousands of religious leaders were executed or imprisoned. This systemic suppression left a legacy of distrust toward religious institutions, which persists in Tajikistan’s modern governance. Although the country gained independence in 1991, challenges to religious freedom have endured.
At the same time, Tajikistan faces growing threats of religious extremism. In 2020, following a terrorist attack in Moscow, four Tajik men were charged. According to American officials, they had been radicalized by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of the Islamic State jihadist group. The ISKP has exploited Tajikistan’s widespread poverty and high unemployment to recruit young men from economically vulnerable regions.
In response, the Tajik government has implemented stringent measures. These include door-to-door campaigns, heightened surveillance, and the suppression of independent religious activities. Authorities justify these actions as efforts to curb extremism, but such approaches often alienate communities. By stifling legitimate religious expression, the government risks deepening mistrust and potentially driving individuals toward extremist groups.
The challenge of combating religious extremism is entangled with Tajikistan’s socio-economic struggles. As one of the poorest countries in Central Asia, nearly 30% of its population lives in poverty, with 14% in extreme poverty. Limited opportunities force many young men to seek employment abroad, particularly in Russia, where they take on low-paying, labour-intensive jobs. The economic disenchantment at home, coupled with social marginalization, makes individuals more susceptible to extremist ideologies.
Despite its efforts to curb extremism, the Tajik government’s heavy-handed policies often exacerbate the problem. Labelling religious expression as a national security threat has justified widespread crackdowns on both majority Muslim and minority religious groups. These measures not only alienate affected communities but also distract from addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities.
The Tajik government’s suppression of religion stems from a combination of historical, political, and social factors. The remnants of Soviet-era atheist policies continue to shape governance, fostering a deep-seated distrust of religious institutions. Additionally, religion poses a potential challenge to the government’s authority, particularly in a state where political leadership seeks to maintain control over all aspects of public life. In recent years, the growing threat of extremism has amplified these dynamics. Fearing radicalization and the potential for instability, the government has doubled down on restrictive measures, conflating religious expression with extremism. This approach seeks to preempt security threats but has resulted in an even tighter lockdown on religious freedoms, further alienating communities.
Tajikistan’s struggle to balance national security with religious freedom reveals a broader need for reform. Efforts to combat extremism must go beyond restrictions and embrace socio-economic development, fostering trust between the government and its people. Protecting religious freedoms while addressing economic hardships is essential to breaking the cycle of repression and radicalization.
Edited by Olivia Moore
This is an article written by a Staff Writer. Catalyst is a student-led platform that fosters engagement with global issues from a learning perspective. The opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.
Anvita Dattatreya is in her third year at McGill University, currently pursuing a B.A. Double Majoring in Economics and International Development Studies. As a staff writer in Catalyst she hopes to write articles on topics including socio-economic and political issues in South-East Asia.