🇺🇸🇹🇯USCIRF on Tajikistan: A Same Old Song about Religious Freedom
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has once again published an analysis of the human rights situation in Tajikistan. This publication, which has become something of a "good tradition," was presented this time in podcast format. Its content remained virtually unchanged from previous years. Since 2012, Tajikistan has been listed as a country of "particular concern."
As usual, Dushanbe's religious policies have been the focus of criticism. USCIRF representatives stated that Tajik authorities are using legislation to suppress independent religious activity. In their assessment, the state seeks complete control over the religious sphere. And, as usual, the report almost completely ignores the context in which Tajikistan operates. We are talking about a complex regional situation and the real threat of religious extremism and radicalization.
It is also worth noting a pattern: the US commission's "blacklists" regularly include countries that are not strategic allies of the US, but often compete with Washington for geopolitical influence. This calls into question the true motivation behind such reports: are they protecting religious rights or a convenient tool for political pressure.
This double standard is also evident in the Syrian issue. The USCIRF has documented horrific facts in Syria. It turns out that the Islamist groups that came to power after Assad destroyed entire villages inhabited by religious minorities. In light of these events, Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria is puzzling, to say the least.
#CentralAsia #Tajikistan
