Students claim they are being forced to serve in the army

The Ministry of Defence of Tajikistan has reported a successful spring 2022 recruiting campaign and growing ranks of student volunteers, but human rights activists are receiving complaints from university graduates about being forced into the army, reports ACCA.

Recently, the ministry announced that the plan for spring conscription into the ranks of the armed forces was fulfilled by 70%, although only a little more than a month has passed since the start of the conscription campaign. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, the number of young people who voluntarily entered the military service and have a higher education “significantly exceeds the figures for previous years”.

Meanwhile, human rights activists say they have received complaints from fourth- and fifth-year students of higher education institutions who claim they are forced to sign an application for early graduation exams and for ‘voluntary’ conscription. “In return, police officers and military registration and enlistment offices promise to help with the successful passing of exams, and those who oppose are threatened with expulsion. Students of Khujand State University come to us with similar complaints,” said Dilrabo Samadova, head of the Office of Civil Liberties (a non-governmental organisation for the protection of the rights of conscripts and military personnel).
Full report on the ACCA site