DUSHANBE, April 3, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan, with a population of approximately seven million, is an authoritarian state, and political life is dominated by President Emomali Ramon and his supporters, a 2008 Report on Human Rights Practices in Tajikistan, released by the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on February 25, 2009, said.

While the country''s constitution provides for a multiparty political system, in practice the government obstructed political pluralism.  The November 2006 presidential election lacked genuine competition and did not meet international standards, although there were some improvements on voting procedures.  The civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

The government''s human rights record remained poor, and corruption continued to hamper democratic and social reform, according to the report.

The following human rights problems were reported: restricted right of citizens to change their government; torture and abuse of detainees and other persons by security forces; threats and abuse by security forces; impunity of security forces; lengthy pretrial detention; denial of right to fair trial; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; prohibited international monitor access to prisons; restricted freedom of speech, the press and media; restricted freedom of association; restrictions on freedom of religion, including freedom to worship; harassment of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); difficulties with registration and visas; violence and discrimination against women; trafficking in persons; and child labor.