DUSHABE, January 22, 2014, Asia-Plus -- World Report 2014, which was released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on January 21, notes that President Emomali Rahmon was reelected to a fourth term in office in November in an election that lacked meaningful political competition.  Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova, the only genuine independent candidate, was forced to exit the race prematurely in October after the authorities interfered with her campaign and intimidated her relatives and supporters.

During the lead-up to the election, the Tajik authorities reportedly widened a crackdown on freedom of expression, imprisoned opposition leaders, shut down a leading nongovernmental organization (NGO), and stepped up efforts to extradite political opponents from abroad.

The government also persisted with enforcing a repressive law on religion, restricting media freedoms, and pressuring civil society groups.  There were widespread complaints by NGOs of the authorities’ use of torture to obtain confessions.

In positive developments, Tajikistan passed a long-awaited law on domestic violence and committed to accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on the elimination of the death penalty.

World Report 2014 is HRW’s 24th annual review of human rights practices around the globe.  It summarizes key human rights issues in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide, drawing on events through November 2013.  The World Report reflects extensive investigative work that Human Rights Watch staff undertook in 2013, in close partnership with human rights activists on the ground.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.  HRW headquarters are in New York City with offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto, and Washington D.C.