To address societal vulnerabilities amidst economic challenges, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are intensifying efforts to curb sorcery, fortune-telling, and related practices within their borders, Eurasianet reported.
Despite grappling with economic instability, both Central Asian nations are dedicating resources to clamp down on what they perceive as exploitative practices that prey on vulnerable populations.
In Tajikistan, a concerted effort to root out sorcery culminated in the arrest of over 50 individuals in the remote Ghafurov District, as reported by the Asia-Plus news agency on May 21. This action followed recent amendments to the law that criminalized activities such as sorcery and fortune-telling, previously treated as administrative offenses.
As per the Interior Ministry statement, those detained were offering their services to local residents, employing various deceptive techniques to extract money. At least one individual among those arrested is now facing a criminal charge of fraud.
“Each [of those arrested] provided services to residents of the district and neighboring territories, using various tricks and techniques to make money,” stated the Interior Ministry, underscoring the government's resolve to eliminate these practices.
Parallel to Tajikistan's crackdown, Kyrgyzstan has also moved to tighten regulations against such practices. The Kyrgyz parliament recently passed amendments banning the public advertisement of services by self-proclaimed healers, psychics, and others claiming supernatural abilities.
This prohibition extends to all forms of media, including social media platforms. Marlen Mamataliev, a sponsor of the amendments, emphasized that the measure aims to protect vulnerable citizens from being exploited by unscrupulous individuals.
Both nations are confronting significant economic challenges. The Economist Intelligence Unit has highlighted a high risk of sovereign default in Kyrgyzstan, while noting potential sources of destabilization in Tajikistan, such as poverty, unemployment, austerity measures, power shortages, and political oppression. Despite these pressures, the governments of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are prioritizing the eradication of practices they deem harmful to societal well-being.
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