Tajikistan Roundup: Parental law, polygamy, hijab ban

Parental responsibility law

Tajikistan has updated its parental responsibility law, now extending responsibility to all participants in the educational process. The revised legislation embodies a holistic strategy for the education and development of children in Tajikistan, engaging a diverse group of contributors while prioritising the safeguarding of children's rights. Its objective is to foster an educational setting that is more welcoming, secure, and nurturing, tackling contemporary issues like radicalism, aggression, and bias. According to Asia Plus, a key amendment includes the broadening and meticulous delineation of terminology within the statute. It unambiguously explicates terms such as "education," "development," and "guardians," thereby delineating the duties of everyone involved in the educational journey.

Bilateral ties

The Saudi-Tajik-Uzbek Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Shoura Council, under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Al-Jarba, initiated an official tour of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In a media briefing, Dr Al-Jarba highlighted the tour's objective to bolster collaborative parliamentary ties with the legislative bodies of both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, aiming to fortify relationships across all sectors, as reported by Saudi Gazette. He further emphasized the Shoura Council's dedication to proactive parliamentary and diplomatic endeavours that enhance mutual relations and align stances in global and regional assemblies on diverse matters, thereby promoting shared benefits. The committee plans to engage with their counterparts in the respective parliamentary friendship committees and meet with a range of officials during their visit to the two nations.

Polygamy on the rise

Polygamous marriages are on the rise in Tajikistan due to poverty, job opportunities abroad, and societal pressures. Many women see it as their only way to secure financial security. Economic challenges and limited job opportunities have led to almost 1 million of Tajikistan's estimated 9 million residents seeking work abroad. The money they send home significantly supports numerous households, accounting for 20-30% of the nation's GDP, as reported by the World Bank and World Economic Forum. This economic dynamic partly explains why numerous divorced women in Tajikistan endorse the concept of men having multiple wives. Asia Plus highlights that polygamous unions are predominantly pursued by wealthier men, and many women view this as a viable path to ensure financial stability for themselves and their offspring.

Punishment for soothsaying

Tajikistan has escalated its legal penalties for engaging in activities like soothsaying and conducting "healing sessions" for the ill and disabled, intensifying its crackdown on individuals practising fortune-telling, sorcery, or witchcraft, as per recent updates reported by Radio Liberty's Tajik Service, the country's Penal Code amendments now impose stricter consequences, including potential imprisonment of up to two years or substantial monetary penalties reaching 144,000 somonis (approximately US$13,350). This marks a significant shift from the 2008 legislation that prohibited soothsaying under the category of witchcraft but did not include jail time, and had set the maximum fine for fortune-telling at 3,000 somonis (US$280), as reported by Asia Plus.

Hijab banned

In a recent legislative move that has ignited considerable debate, Tajikistan has introduced a ban on the hijab. Supported by President Emomali Rahmon's government, this law is a component of a wider initiative purportedly designed to uphold the country's cultural heritage and counteract radicalism. The Majlisi Milli, Tajikistan's higher chamber of parliament, ratified a bill last Thursday, June 20, prohibiting "foreign clothing," specifically addressing the hijab traditionally worn by Muslim women. This legislation is one of 35 religiously oriented statutes intended to limit what the authorities consider foreign influences. The repercussions for non-compliance are stringent, with fines starting at nearly EUR 700 (USD750) for ordinary citizens to about EUR 5,000 (USD5,360) for religious figures, Roya News reports.