A/HRC/55/47/Add.1 were arrested. They were reportedly mistreated and some of them tortured in detention and denied access to doctors and lawyers. The trial of 13 leading Islamic Renaissance Party members ended in June 2016. Deputy Party leaders Saidumar Husaini and Haritos Mahmadali Rahmonovich Hayit received life terms in prison, while 11 others received sentences as long as 28 years. Due process and human rights concerns were widely expressed in relation to those and other trials relating to Party members and even to their relatives.15 54. In 2020, the Government reportedly conducted mass arrests and interrogations of Islamic leaders, including prominent Sufi Muslim clerics and many who had received religious education abroad. Furthermore, the Government detained a large number of people accused of membership of the Muslim Brotherhood after it was banned in 2006. Those detained included an Egyptian professor at the Tajik National University who was allegedly identified as the leader of a group of 119 individuals who were, in a high-profile case, sentenced by the Supreme Court in April 2021 to between 5 and 23 years in prison each. Salafis are another group that is particularly targeted, since the authorities do not clearly define the term “Salafi” and apply it widely to Muslims who do not practise their religion or belief in ways that have been approved by the State. B. Religious or belief minorities and communities 55. All religious groups and organizations, other than those that adhere to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, need to apply to the State Committee for Religious Affairs and Regulation of Traditions, Ceremonies and Rituals for registration. Pursuant to the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations Act, all exercise of freedom of religion or belief without State permission is illegal.16 Such “regulation” of relations between the State and religious associations is highly restrictive and has a chilling effect on the environment of freedom of religion or belief. Furthermore, the wording of related laws is extremely unclear, allowing ample room for official arbitrary action. 56. The State Committee for Religious Affairs reports that a total of 4,058 religious associations are registered in Tajikistan, including 66 non-Muslim groups. The Special Rapporteur became aware of at least one group that is seeking reregistration and one that is seeking initial registration. Registration can be withdrawn only by a judgment of the Supreme Court, then reinstated only by a Supreme Court judgment. Application for reregistration has proven very difficult. 57. Registered communities are required to report annually on any financial transfers and all their activities. They receive questionnaires requiring full details of all religious community employees and their families, as well as details of all financial support received from foreign individuals and organizations. One source noted that further information is required only when there is a key change of circumstance, such as change of address. This is another example of the law not always being applied strictly to different groups throughout the country. C. Women 58. While a variety of dress and hijab codes are followed by women and girls when in public, particular types of head covering are prohibited or restricted on the grounds that they are indicative of foreign cultural influence, extremism or belonging to banned extremist or terrorist groups. Civil servants cannot wear such head and face coverings and women may be restricted from wearing them when entering kindergartens, schools, universities, hospitals or governmental buildings. Some of the authorities consulted denied that there was any such 15 16 GE.24-00093 In its opinion No. 2/2018, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found the detention of Mr. Hayit to be arbitrary and called for his immediate release (A/HRC/WGAD/2018/2, paras. 79 and 81). Other opinions of the Working Group relate to the detention of 11 other Party members (A/HRC/WGAD/2019/66) and to a lawyer, Buzurgmehr Yorov, who represented high-level Party officials (A/HRC/WGAD/2019/17). See OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance (2019), in particular chapter 4.1. 11