OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities visits Tajikistan, commends good practices in multilingual education

DUSHANBE, 19 May 2023 - On his official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan from 15 to 19 May 2023, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov met representatives of the national, regional authorities and national minorities to discuss inter-ethnic relations, social cohesion and regional co-operation.

In Dushanbe, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov was received by President Emomali Rahmon. He also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin,  Minister of Education and Science Saidzoda Rahim Hamro, Minister of Culture Zulfiya Davlatzoda, First Deputy Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Mahmadali Vatanzoda, Ombudsman for Human Rights Umed Bobozoda and the leadership of the State Committee on Language and Terminology under the Government, Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations and Ceremonies under the Government and Public Council.

They had fruitful exchanges on the participation of national minorities in cultural, social, economic, and public life and the effective ways to accommodate the rich ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of Tajikistan’s multicultural society to further promote tolerance, social unity and integration.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov reaffirmed his availability to assist policymakers and national minorities in Tajikistan with expertise and guidance based on the HCNM thematic Recommendations and Guidelines. He also underscored the importance of regional co-operation, in particular cross-border ties, and sharing good practices in diversity management among all of the OSCE participating States in Central Asia and beyond in order to further enhance favourable conditions for regional stability, security, sustainable development and economic growth.

“Effective consultations with national communities on matters that concern them at national and local levels are key to ensuring that ongoing reforms in different fields of life reflect national minorities’ aspirations and bring the best results,” High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov said.  He also encouraged both the authorities and representatives of national minorities to continue their efforts in this direction.

In the Sughd region, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov met with the authorities of Khudjand, Ghafurov and Isfara cities and districts to exchange views on multilingual education, social-economic inclusion and cross-border ties. He also visited an Uzbek language school and multilingual education school in Isfara and a school named after Gagarin in Dushanbe, where he met with students and teachers to learn about existing models of bi- and multilingual education.