Annual Government-Civil Society Conference on Key Human Rights Issues in Tajikistan

Implementation of Tajikistan’s OSCE human rights commitments was the focus of a two-day meeting of government, civil society and international community representatives that concluded on 28 July in Dushanbe.

Some 180 participants, including around 30 government officials, over 20 political party representatives and 30 participants from the regions took part in the event held ahead of the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.

This year, participants discussed the impact of national security measures on the exercise of fundamental freedoms and human rights. They also talked about developing strong and independent media as a safeguard against national security threats, the State's obligation to ensure rule of law while tackling violent radicalization, as well as commitments to improve conditions of military service for conscripts and armed personnel.

Zarif Alizoda, Human Rights Commissioner said in his opening remarks, “It is now a tradition for the government and civil society to meet every summer and evaluate progress in improving human rights situation in the country.”

This event, the ninth of its kind, was organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the Department on Human Rights Guarantees within the Executive Office of the President in co-operation with civil society organizations.

Muzaffar Ashuriyon, Head of the Department of Human Rights Guarantees, told participants, “Our country is facing many challenges and we are ready to improve co-operation with civil society.” He also said that the event presented an opportunity to discuss some of the gaps in implementatuion of Tajikistan’s human rights committments and the government will carefully review all recommendations.

Nigina Bakhrieva, Director of Public Foundation Nota Bene and one of the moderators, noted the importance of the authorities’ participation in the annual event despite the sensitivity of topics discussed. “I believe, this is a sign that there is still space for dialogue with civil society and an opportunity to address the human rights concerns raised by participants of the meeting.”

Beatriz Balbin, Deputy Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights who chaired the conference on behalf of the OSCE, said “The topics of the meeting reflect multiple challenges Tajikistan is facing in economic, financial and security sectors and the importance of bringing human rights into the centre of policy making cannot be over-emphasized.”