An independent United Nations expert, Attiya Waris, urged Tajikistan to prioritize legislative measures for fiscal transparency and economic diversification. Concluding her 12-day visit to Dushanbe, Waris emphasized the necessity of enacting freedom of information and whistleblower protection laws to enhance public access to pivotal budget and debt information, ensuring meaningful public participation in financial decision-making. Her observations align with the principles of fiscal legitimacy, encapsulating accountability, transparency, responsibility, efficiency, effectiveness, fairness, and justice.
Drawing on Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Waris highlighted substantial gaps in the availability of reliable public data, despite the government’s ongoing measures to address these issues. These include proposed legislation on minimum wage and whistleblower protections that lack public visibility. Waris underscored that citizens must have significant opportunities to influence decisions impacting their lives, especially in challenging economic climates.
The call for transparency coincides with Tajikistan’s broader human rights challenges, including criticisms over the treatment of legal professionals and journalists, as noted by Human Rights Watch. The low ratio of legal practitioners, with fewer than nine lawyers per 100,000 residents, raises concerns about access to justice, especially in rural regions. More troubling are questions surrounding the independence of legal personnel, including prosecutors and defense counsel, highlighting potential obstacles to justice and legal representation.
Although Tajikistan’s economy demonstrates strong growth and poverty alleviation, it remains heavily reliant on labor migration, remittances, and imports. Waris pointed out that remittances play a crucial role in household consumption and poverty reduction but are not a substitute for creating sufficient, productive domestic employment. To meet its human rights obligation of ensuring an adequate standard of living, the country must bolster its agricultural, food-processing, tourism, mining, and digital sectors. The Roghun Hydropower Plant serves as a critical example of necessary oversight, requiring transparent cost-benefit analyses and responsible financing.
On economic participation, despite the government’s effort to raise the minimum wage to 1,300 somoni (approximately $140), wages remain uncompetitive regionally. This is compounded by barriers to women’s economic involvement, such as low wages and insufficient childcare services. Waris advocates for expanded childcare, financial literacy programs, and entrepreneurial support as necessary interventions.
To further development, infrastructure improvements in remote areas, such as the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, were recognized for enhancing transportation connectivity. Waris commended these efforts, acknowledging their potential to improve economic and social integration. Her detailed observations and recommendations will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027. This visit marks the 13th by a UN special procedures mandate holder to the country since 2005, underscoring Tajikistan’s ongoing engagement with international human rights mechanisms.