A long-anticipated article criminalizing domestic violence is included in the draft of Tajikistan’s new Criminal Code, but its adoption remains pending.  The delay comes amid a surge in reported cases of abuse, including suicides linked to family violence.

At a news conference on August 7, Justice Minister Muzaffar Ashouriyon confirmed that Article 153, titled “Domestic Violence,” has been included in the proposed revisions to the Criminal Code.  “The draft is complete and under government review,” he said, noting that the final decision now rests with the government and parliament, with input from international organizations.

Domestic violence reports on the rise

While legal reforms are stalled, cases of domestic abuse continue to grow.  According to the Committee on Women and Family Affairs, 2,121 cases of violence were registered in the first half of 2025 — 277 more than the same period last year.

Of these, 1,763 involved violence against women — an increase of 256 cases.  Authorities also recorded 102 suicides by women and 30 by underage girls.  Violence against men was reported in 251 cases, 86 fewer than last year, and often involved conflicts with wives’ relatives.

Committee Chairwoman Bunafsha Faiziddinzoda cited misunderstandings between spouses, jealousy, third-party interference, and health issues as key causes. She also noted cases of sexual, physical, and economic abuse.

A new hotline, 1313, launched in July, received 58 complaints in its first month — nine of them from men, who cited abuse from wives, in-laws, and even mothers.

Inside the draft law

Article 153 outlines specific punishments for domestic violence, including:

• Up to one year of correctional labor, fines, or imprisonment for systematic abuse causing moderate harm.
• Up to three years for aggravated cases, such as targeting pregnant women, children, or acts in the presence of minors.
• Three to six years for severe injuries or particularly cruel acts.
• Four to seven years for abuse resulting in death by negligence.
• Seven to ten years for the negligent death of two or more victims.

The draft law marks a significant shift from the current Criminal Code, which only addresses domestic violence through broader provisions such as incitement to suicide (Article 109), torture (117), and intentional harm to health (Articles 111 and 112).

Will the law meet international standards?

While the inclusion of Article 153 is a step forward, experts argue it still falls short of global human rights benchmarks.  Gender specialist and civil society representative Larisa Alexandrova, who participated in the early stages of the working group, told Asia-Plus that international standards require more comprehensive coverage.

Even so, she said, formal recognition of domestic violence as a criminal offense would be a meaningful step in strengthening legal protections for women and girls in Tajikistan.