Tajikistan, Asia

Tajikistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic. Most of Tajikistan's population belongs to the Tajik ethnic group, who share culture and history with the Iranian peoples and speak the Persian language. After independence (1991) Tajikistan suffered from a devastating civil war which lasted from 1992 to 1997. Emomali Rahmonov came to power in 1992, and continues to rule to this day. However, he has been accused of ethnic cleansing during the civil war. Since the end of the war, newly-established political stability and foreign aid have allowed the country's economy to grow. Trade in commodities such as cotton and aluminum wire has contributed greatly to this steady improvement, but lack of natural resources (besides hydroelectric power and strategic location) has hampered its economic recovery. Since the September 11, 2001, attacks, American, Indian and French troops have also been stationed in the country.
Regarding homosexuality, there are no laws against homosexuality in Tajikistan. However it is a very conservative country and openly gay people face prejudice and threats. As a result most live in fear and follow tradition to conform and make a family with kids.

 

 

LGBT People Under Attack: Raids in Belarus, Murder in Chechnya, Registration of Gays in Central Asia

Singer and Entertainer Zelim Bakaev Apparently Murdered by the Security Services of Chechnyan President’s Security Services The LGBTQI community is under assault in Eastern Europe as well as Central Asia. The most recent crackdown in the region was this past weekend’s raids of nightclubs popular with the LGBT community in Belarus, during which two clubs… Read more »

Tajikistan announces official register of gay citizens

Dushanbe, Tajikistan (AFP) – Authoritarian Tajikistan announced on Tuesday (Oct 17) it had drawn up a register of 367 allegedly gay citizens, suggesting they would be required to undergo testing to avoid “the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases”. Details of the move was unveiled in Zakonnost, a newspaper published by Tajikistan’s state prosecutor which said the… Read more »

Amnesty urges Tajikistan to stop ‘morality’ campaign against gay people

Tajikistan: Amnesty International has called on Tajikistan to immediately cease a new campaign of harassment and violence against gay people accused of “moral crimes.” Police across the country have in various raids seized more than 500 sex workers and a number of men suspected of “homosexual behavior” since June 6, reports Amnesty International. In one… Read more »

Tajikistan: LGBT Community Stuck in the Shadows

No help – and sometimes worse – for the LGBT community in Tajikistan. (Photo: David Trilling) Being gay is no longer a crime in Tajikistan, but police are reticent to address hate crimes, including the murder of a gay man in Dushanbe in 2011. Police have also been known to blackmail closeted individuals by threatening… Read more »

Tajikistan: Gay rights face uphill struggle

Dushanbe,(IRIN) – Efforts to advocate the rights of the gay community in Tajikistan, including HIV/AIDS awareness, face an uphill battle given traditional Islamic values and a general intolerance towards homosexuality. “Tajikistan is a conservative Muslim country. Such subjects are not easily spoken about,” Kiromiddin Gulov, coordinator for the local NGO, Legal Support for Youth, one… Read more »