53rd SESSION OF THE UPR WORKING GROUP
Statement Norway
on the on the human rights situation in Tajikistan
delivered by Ms Elisabeth ÅDNEGARD,
Counsellor, Human Rights
Check against delivery
5 November 2026
President,
Norway welcomes Tajikistan’s participation in the UPR while remaining deeply concerned about the significant deterioration in the human rights situation.
Norway recommends that Tajikistan:
- End politically motivated prosecution of human rights defenders, journalists, human rights lawyers and political opposition, immediately release those arbitrarily detained and cease all acts of transnational repression against Tajik nationals abroad;
- End all politically motivated closures of NGOs and allow closed organisations to re-register and resume operations;
- Guarantee media workers and journalists’ freedom to cover all areas of public life and cease using administrative procedures to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression];
- Refrain from the misuse of national security or extremism concerns as justification for suppressing peaceful protests;
- Establish an independent and effective mechanism to investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment, as well as putting an end to the harsh conditions in prisons.
Thank you.