Tajikistan news

Here are some recent news articles and updates from Tajikistan:

Politics

• Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has been re-elected for a fifth term, winning 90.3% of the vote in a disputed election. (BBC News, November 2020)
• The United States has imposed sanctions on several high-ranking officials in Tajikistan, including the country's defense minister, over human rights abuses and corruption. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, October 2020)

Economy

• Tajikistan's economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country's GDP expected to contract by 5.5% in 2020. (The Diplomat, October 2020)
• The World Bank has approved a $20 million loan to support Tajikistan's efforts to improve its healthcare system and respond to the pandemic. (World Bank, September 2020)

Security

• Tajikistan has been experiencing a surge in violence along its border with Afghanistan, with several clashes reported between government forces and Taliban militants. (Al Jazeera, November 2020)
• The United States has provided Tajikistan with military aid and training to help the country counter the threat from Islamic State (ISIS) and other extremist groups. (Defense News, October 2020)

Human Rights

• Human rights groups have criticized Tajikistan's government for cracking down on dissent and restricting civil liberties, including freedom of speech and assembly. (Human Rights Watch, October 2020)
• The Tajik government has been accused of using forced labor to build infrastructure projects, including a major highway connecting the capital Dushanbe to the border with Afghanistan. (The Guardian, September 2020)

Other News

• Tajikistan has launched a major campaign to eradicate polio, with health officials reporting a significant increase in vaccination rates among children. (UN News, October 2020)
• The country's capital, Dushanbe, has been named as the host city for the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. (Xinhua News Agency, September 2020)