๐น๐ฏ Tajikistan โ Country of Origin Information for UK asylum
Emomali Rahmon authoritarian regime since 1992. Harsh suppression of political opposition (IRPT banned in 2015 as "terrorist"). Persecution of religious minorities (Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, unregistered Muslims). Same-sex relations decriminalised in 1998, but LGBT people are persecuted via adjacent provisions (Criminal Code Art. 125 โ HIV transmission โ weaponised against LGBT since 2022-2023; police extortion; Interior Ministry "registry" of LGBT individuals). Persecution of journalists and bloggers. Economic-debt forms of coercion.
How to use this COI at your interview
- Before the substantive interviewPrint or save 2-3 key sources (CPIN if available, HRW World Report, local NGO). Interviewers may ask โ best to have them ready.
- Link source to your storyIf CPIN says "in country X, Y happens" โ your job is to show Y happened to you / your family / your circle. Not just citation โ connection to facts.
- Give your lawyer all sources before submissionThe solicitor / IAA adviser will draft the skeleton argument with the right citations. Your job is to provide materials and context.
- If refused โ COI for the appealAppealing at First-tier Tribunal without COI is nearly impossible. SAR + new sources after refusal = key to a successful appeal.
Authoritative sources
ranked by strength in UK TribunalsUK Tribunal hierarchy: CPIN > UNHCR Eligibility > HRW World Report > Amnesty annual > Freedom House > country-specific NGO. Higher = more cited in Tribunal decisions.
CPIN Tajikistan: Religious freedom + Political opposition (IRPT). Some 2022 versions; check for 2025 updates.
- IPHR โ International Partnership for Human Rights (CA) ยท Political
- Norwegian Helsinki Committee ยท Political
- CABAR.asia โ analytical journalism ยท Press
- Forum 18 โ religious freedom ยท Religion
- ECOM โ LGBTQ CA ยท LGBTQ+
- USCIRF โ Country of Particular Concern since 2016 ยท Religion
- CPJ Tajikistan โ 7 ะถััะฝะฐะปะธััะพะฒ ั ะดะปะธัะตะปัะฝัะผะธ ััะพะบะฐะผะธ ยท Press
- Radio Ozodi / RFE-RL ยท Press
- Asia-Plus โ ะฝะตะทะฐะฒะธัะธะผะพะต ะกะะ ะขะฐะดะถะธะบะธััะฐะฝะฐ ยท Press
Recent events
for context at interviewWhat to gather for interview
UK Tribunals assess credibility from concrete evidence. Cases from Tajikistan typically need:
- IRPT membership / connection documents (even indirect)
- For religious minorities: community letters, Forum 18 reports, confiscation documents
- For LGBT persecution cases (Art. 125 โ HIV transmission charges, police extortion, Interior Ministry "registry"): screenshots, correspondence, medical records, witness statements
- Forced marriage documents (for women)
- Family documents about relatives persecuted in Tajikistan
- NGO letters from IPHR, NHC, CABAR.asia, Forum 18
- Confirmation of work at Asia-Plus, Radio Ozodi, CABAR
Tip: file a SAR request to the Home Office before submitting additional evidence โ you'll see what they already hold.
Important: StartNewLife UK is a referral directory, not an immigration advice service within the meaning of the UK Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s.84. This page is general information and navigation, not individual legal advice. All lawyers in the database are regulated by the SRA, IAA or BSB โ verify their status on the public registers before instructing. For individual advice on your case, contact an SRA solicitor or IAA adviser directly.