Asia and Oceania

Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism in Tajikistan.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Recent incidents in Dushanbe include:

• 30th July 2009 – A small explosion near Korvon Market that injured a police officer.
• 26th July 2009 – A small explosion near Hotel Tojikiston which caused no injuries.
• 25th July 2009 – A small explosion near Dushanbe International Airport.  No one was injured.
  

No one has claimed responsibility for the July 2009 attacks and the Tajik authorities have made no initial identification of perpetrators.

• On 14th November 2007 there was a small explosion at the Kohi Vahdat conference centre in Dushanbe that killed one person.  Tajik authorities never formally concluded their investigation into this attack.
  

We believe there is a threat of kidnapping in Tajikistan.  British nationals should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers.  The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.  

For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

 

Crime

 

Armed incidents continue between border forces and drug traffickers along the Afghan border.  There have been occasional muggings and petty crime against foreigners but Dushanbe is a relatively safe city.  Throughout the country there is little evidence of criminality directed against foreigners.  In rural areas, however, single women should avoid going out alone at night, and may suffer harassment even during the day.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime.

 

Political Situation

 

Tajikistan Country Profile.

 

It is now over ten years since the opposing parties signed the 1997 peace agreement that brought the Tajik civil war to an end and the political situation is currently stable.  However, you should remain vigilant in public places, and be alert to any security related announcements by the Tajik authorities.

 

Local Travel

 

You should not venture off-road in areas immediately adjoining the Afghan, Uzbek and Kyrgyz borders, as there are both marked and unmarked minefields.  You should also take local advice in the Tavildara region of central Tajikistan as there are a few minefields dating from the civil war in the mountains.

 

Medical and rescue facilities are unreliable where they exist at all.  Tourist facilities are very underdeveloped, and goods and services taken for granted in the UK may not be available.

 
Due to the security situation and hazardous road conditions in the Rasht Valley, Tavildara and Darvaz area, unnecessary travel to this region should be avoided.

Road Travel

 

Roads outside the main towns are poorly maintained and often only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles.  Conditions are particularly treacherous in spring due to the risk of avalanches and landslides. Many interior roads are only open in the summer months. It is possible to drive from Dushanbe to the North via a tunnel still under construction.  This road is particularly dangerous in winter due to icy conditions and frequent avalanches and drivers can be trapped for a long time if caught in an avalanche because of the uninhabited mountain terrain.  Rehabilitation of the Dushanbe to Khojand and Vahdat to Jirgital roads is causing lengthy delays to journeys.  Certain sections of these roads are only open to traffic after working hours.

 

Local vehicles are poorly maintained and driving standards rudimentary.  Petrol stations can be limited outside towns and there are no breakdown companies.  Make sure you take all you need for your journey, allowing for delays.  Emergency communications such as satellite phones are advisable for up-country travel.  You should be aware that neighbouring countries might unilaterally close borders temporarily.

 
Due to the security situation and hazardous road conditions in the Rasht Valley, Tavildara and Darvaz area, unnecessary travel to this region should be avoided.

For more general information see Driving Abroad. 

 

Air Travel

 

Most international flights to Dushanbe are by Tajik Air, the state airline.  It is not known whether maintenance procedures on Tajik Air are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by insurance.  Tajik Air is not a member of IATA.  Turkish Airlines flies to Dushanbe from Istanbul twice a week.  Somon Air is now flying once a week to and from Dubai, and everyday to and from Moscow with a small modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 and 737-400 aircraft. On 2 June, air Baltic commenced twice-weekly flights to Dushanbe from Riga.  Somon Air are IATA registered Flights in Tajikistan may be cancelled at short notice or substantially delayed.  Overloading on local flights is not uncommon.