Professor Swerdlow Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Enforced Disappearances in Tajikistan

Professor Steve Swerdlow Publishes Groundbreaking Report on Enforced Disappearances in Tajikistan

In a significant contribution to the field of human rights, Steve Swerdlow, Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights at USC, has recently published a comprehensive 30-page report on enforced disappearances in Tajikistan. Commissioned by the human rights NGO Crude Accountability, the report is part of a broader series examining this critical human rights issue across the OSCE region.

The report delves into nearly 30 individual cases of enforced disappearance or incommunicado detention as a state policy of the Tajik government over the past 30 years. It analyzes four distinct historical periods, revealing a concerning trajectory in Tajikistan’s human rights record.

Steve’s collaborative effort with POIR students and the USC Human Rights Advocacy Group adds an extra layer of significance to this research. Their dedication to shedding light on this issue is commendable.

For those interested, Steve has shared a short Tweet thread about the report. The full report and related materials can be accessed here, and the direct link to the PDF is available here.

The impact of this research has already gained media attention, with coverage from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and a feature in DIPLOMAT magazine. Steve also participated in a podcast, accessible here.

Join us in congratulating Professor Swerdlow on this remarkable achievement and promoting awareness about the critical issue of enforced disappearances in Tajikistan.