Tajikistan: 15th Human Rights Dialogue with EU takes place in Brussels

The European Union and Tajikistan held the fifteenth Human Rights Dialogue on 17 October, in Brussels. The dialogue allowed for an open and constructive exchange on key human rights issues in Tajikistan, including women’s rights, gender-based violence and non-discrimination, where the EU welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework and encouraged sustained action to translate these commitments into concrete results.

On prevention of torture and other forms of inhuman treatment as well as penitentiary reform, the Parties discussed measures to address shortcomings and the need to establish an independent monitoring system and effective judicial follow-up.

Particular attention was dedicated to upholding of fundamental freedoms in particular the freedom of expression and political participation. The EU expressed deep concern about the working environment for journalists, human rights defenders, as well as civil society more broadly and called on the authorities to enable re-registration of civil society organisations that were forced to cease their activities. The EU raised a list of concrete cases of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists that have been imprisoned, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. The EU expressed serious concerns about the lack of progress in the human rights situation in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) and encouraged Tajikistan to engage in a constructive and open dialogue with the Pamiri minority. The EU urged the authorities to uphold the international fair trial standards.

The Human Rights Dialogue provided an opportunity for the EU to acknowledge progress in drafting human rights laws, while underlining that effective implementation remains key.

A regular dialogue on the rule of law and human rights remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations. Advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms — particularly in the areas of political pluralism, freedom of expression, media independence, and civil society participation — is of key importance. In this context, the EU underlined that tangible progress in these areas will be essential for a successful GSP+ application, notably regarding civic and political freedoms and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Tajikistan. Following the initialling of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the European Union and Tajikistan in July 2025, the Human Rights Dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations. The EU stressed that successful economic cooperation under the EPCA will be underpinned by strong democratic institutions and continued progress in the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

EUROPEAN UNION
Delegation to the Republic of Tajikistan,
Dushanbe, 22 October 2025