Date of publication:

04/22/2025

Tajikistan

Do domestic laws and policies provide forcibly displaced and stateless persons with skills development opportunities?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Stateless persons
Analysis

The national legislation does not specifically address this issue regarding refugees; therefore, the general rule outlined in Article No. 6 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Adult Education applies, as it does for foreign citizens and stateless persons. Additionally, based on the relevant provision stipulated in Article No. 12 of the Refugee Law, it can also be applied to refugees. However, due to challenges such as restrictions on refugees' freedom of movement, financial limitations, and other factors, this right is not effectively implemented in practice.

To address these challenges, Tajikistan's authorities, in collaboration with international organizations, provide skills development opportunities for refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan. The government has enacted a Refugee Law and established national asylum procedures in line with its international obligations to protect and assist refugees. In partnership with the UNHCR, Tajikistan focuses on economic inclusion through skills training, job placement, and small business initiatives, aiming to enhance refugees' self-reliance and integration into the local economy.

However, the success of these efforts depends on the effective implementation and accessibility of these programs, with continued efforts from both the government and international partners being crucial.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on adult education

    Legal provision

    Article No.6 - The Right of Adults to Education

    1) Adults who are citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan, regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political stance, social and financial status, or age, have the right to receive an education. 2) Adult foreign citizens and stateless persons are entitled to receive education in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan. 3) The rights of adult citizens to education include: - Equal access to education throughout life; - Meeting various personal needs for knowledge, skills, and abilities; - Enhancing knowledge and skills necessary for productive participation in various types of social activities; - Free choice of the field of study and educational institution; - Unpaid leave with job retention for the duration of study; - Educational services equivalent to those provided to students of official educational institutions. 4) Adults whose rights have been restricted by a court decision cannot be deprived of the right to education. According to the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan, only the methods of exercising the right to education may be subject to restrictions.

    Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Refugees

    Legal provision

    Article 12 - Rights and Duties of an Individual Recognized as a Refugee

    1. An individual recognized as a refugee and their accompanying family members have the right to: Receive information about their rights and duties, as well as other information in accordance with this Law; Reside in the Republic of Tajikistan for the duration of their refugee status, in the locations determined by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Exclusion; Settle independently with a citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan or a foreign citizen or stateless person permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan; Exclusion; Participate in integration programs developed by the State Migration Authority; Receive medical care, employment, or engage in business activities, in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan, unless otherwise specified; Receive primary and secondary education; Receive assistance from the State Migration Authority in obtaining information about relatives residing in the country of the refugee's citizenship or previous place of residence; Apply to the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence for assistance in obtaining travel documents for themselves and their family members, in coordination with the national security authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan; Obtain a residence permit and other relevant documents at the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence in the prescribed manner; Submit an application for permanent residence in the Republic of Tajikistan based on grounds unrelated to their refugee status or for acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan; Voluntarily return to their country of citizenship (previous place of residence); Leave for another country for residence; Receive financial and other assistance as determined by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Enjoy other rights provided by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan for foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan. 2. An individual recognized as a refugee and their accompanying family members are obliged to: Comply with the requirements of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, this Law, and other regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Tajikistan; Register with the internal affairs authorities at their place of residence no later than three working days after receiving their refugee certificate, if settling independently; After receiving a temporary settlement directive from the State Migration Authority, leave for the designated settlement location within three working days, and register at the local internal affairs authority within three working days of arrival; Provide the State Migration Authority with information about changes in their surname, first name, family composition, marital status, acquisition of Tajik citizenship or citizenship of another state, or obtaining permanent residence status in the Republic of Tajikistan no later than one working week after the change; Notify the State Migration Authority of any intent to change their place of residence within the Republic of Tajikistan or leave the country; Upon changing their residence, deregister from the internal affairs authority and register at the new place of residence within three working days; Undergo annual re-registration within the time frames established by the State Migration Authority; Fulfill other duties provided by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan for foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Tajikistan.