High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors supports multilingual education initiatives in Tajikistan

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Tajikistan, including the Sughd region, from 3 to 7 November 2014. This is the first visit by a High Commissioner to Tajikistan since July 2011.

Thors discussed multilingual education, textbooks, teachers’ training and regional co‑operation in education with Education and Science Minister Nurridin Said. They considered the possibilities to introduce multilingual education into minority schools in Tajikistan based on positive experiences from other OSCE participating States. Thors offered to assist the Ministry of Education and Science in this endeavour.

The High Commissioner visited minority schools providing instruction in the Tajik, Kyrgyz, Uzbek and/or Russian languages in Khujand, the capital of the Sughd region. She also met the region’s Head Abdurahmon Qodiri and representatives of national minorities.

In Dushanbe, she discussed co‑operation, regional issues and developments in the border regions with Foreign Minister Aslov Sirodjidin.

The issue of Tajik migrant workers, including their rights in third countries and their reintegration, was frequently raised by the High Commissioner’s interlocutors.

Ombudsman Zarif Alizoda informed Thors about the implementation of the state‑language law and other legislation related to minority rights.

Thors also met Shukurjon Zuhurov, Chairperson of the lower house of the Parliament (the Majlisi Namoyandagon), representatives of national minorities and civil society, minority school teachers and pupils, and the diplomatic corps in Dushanbe.