Tajikistan Launches High-Level Consultations in Preparation for Fourth Universal Periodic Review
Dushanbe, Tajikistan — May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025 — Tajikistan has officially launched high-level national consultations as part of its preparations for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council. These consultations bring together representatives from key government institutions and civil society organizations to review the country’s human rights commitments and progress.
The first consultation took place in Bokhtar, the administrative center of the Khatlon region, with participation from local authorities, civil society actors, and other stakeholders. The event focused on assessing the implementation of the recommendations Tajikistan accepted during the previous UPR cycle in 2021.
The national UPR preparation working group is represented by: Orzuzoda Firuz, Head of the Human Rights Guarantees Department, Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan; Bobozoda Umed, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Tajikistan; Bobokalonova Nasiba Ibrohimovna, Head of the International Relations Department, General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Tajikistan; Shohiyon Navruz, Head of the Child Rights Department, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan.
In his speech, Firuz Orzuzoda, Head of the Human Rights Guarantees Department, Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, emphasized that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a new mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, designed to ensure regular assessment of the human rights situation in all UN member states. Each country undergoes such a review once every four and a half years. Tajikistan has successfully completed three UPR cycles and is currently preparing for the fourth.
“Tajikistan presents its national reports within the UPR framework at a high level. After the adoption of recommendations, a National Action Plan for their implementation is developed with the active participation of Tajikistan’s civil society. It should be noted that the National Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Human Rights Council's recommendations under the UPR was approved by a Presidential Decree dated April 1, 2023, No. AP-350, which demonstrates the country's commitment to upholding human rights,” stressed Firuz Orzuzoda.
Director of the PO “Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law,” Nargis Zokirova, noted that civil society organisations in Tajikistan play an important role in the UPR process, as their participation is one of the fundamental principles of the work of the UN Human Rights Council.
“Civil society in Tajikistan actively participates not only in the UPR procedure itself, by preparing and submitting alternative reports, but also in monitoring the implementation of recommendations and the country's international obligations. It should be noted that awareness of the UPR process is increasing across the country every year, thanks to information sessions and other educational and awareness-raising activities conducted jointly with state authorities, which is a positive development,” said N. Zokirova.
Following the Bokhtar event, additional consultations are scheduled for:
June 2 in Khujand, Sughd region
June 23 in Dushanbe
These national consultations are jointly organized by the Human Rights Guarantees Department of the Executive Office of the President and the Public Organisation “Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law” as part of two key initiatives:
“Facilitating Tajikistan’s Compliance with International Human Rights Obligations: Supporting the State’s and Civil Society’s Preparations for the UPR” – supported by the Government of Switzerland.
“Advancing Fundamental Rights: Strengthening Civil Society, Preventing Torture, and Transforming Prisons for Human Rights in Tajikistan” – supported by the European Union.
Background information: The third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review for Tajikistan took place on November 4, 2021. Following the review, the country received 234 recommendations from 80 states: 172 were accepted, and 62 were rejected.
Preparations for the fourth UPR cycle, scheduled for 2026, are being carried out with active participation from both state institutions and civil society organizations.
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