Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a bold call to Tajikistan: Deny entry or arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival. This statement aligns with Putin's planned visit to Tajikistan from October 8 to 10, where he is scheduled to attend the Russia-Central Asia summit and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Heads of State Council.

The call for action is based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 17, 2023. According to the ICC, there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that Putin is criminally responsible for the "unlawful deportation" and "transfer of population," specifically children, which are classified as war crimes under the Rome Statute. This international treaty, which established the ICC, mandates its member states, including Tajikistan, to arrest individuals against whom the court has issued warrants.

Liz Evenson, HRW's international justice director, highlighted the significance of Tajikistan's response to Putin's visit. She stated that welcoming Putin would demonstrate "utter disregard for the suffering of victims of Russia’s forces' crimes in Ukraine and for its own obligations as an ICC member." This stance is reinforced by the obligations under Article 59 of the Rome Statute, which requires member states to cooperate with the ICC, including enforcing arrest warrants.

Failure of a member state to comply can trigger a formal procedure, potentially leading to referral to the Assembly of States Parties or the Security Council for further action. This was the case in November 2024 when Putin visited Mongolia and was not apprehended, an incident that resulted in procedural action under the ICC’s statutes.

Tajikistan's human rights record has faced scrutiny and criticism, including allegations of crimes against humanity such as torture, rape, and murder. The call from HRW thus places additional pressure on Tajikistan to align its actions with international legal standards, particularly under the scrutiny of global human rights and international law organizations.

This appeal from HRW comes at a time when the relevance of the United Nations and its effectiveness on the international stage are being debated. Last month, during the 80th session of the General Assembly, a joint statement was issued reaffirming commitment to international legal standards, highlighting the ongoing global discourse on human rights and legal accountability.