OSCE Centre to organize events in Tajikistan on International Human Rights Day

DUSHANBE, 8 December 2006 - The OSCE Centre in Dushanbe will organize a series of events to mark International Human Rights Day in Dushanbe and Qurghonteppa on 9 and 10 December.

In Dushanbe, the OSCE Centre together with the United Nations Development Programme Anti-corruption project and the U.N. Office for Peace-building in Tajikistan will hold a concert on 9 December. In Qurghonteppa, the provincial capital of Khatlon region, the OSCE Centre's Field Office and the Khatlon Regional Committee on Youth Affairs will hold a competition for high school students on the history of the Human Rights Day, as well as sports and education events on 10 December.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on 10 December 1948, is a major pillar of all core U.N. treaties devoted to human rights and recognized by all U.N. member states, including Tajikistan," said Klaus Rasmussen, Acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe.

"On this day we remind ourselves, the Government, the public, and the young people of the significance of abiding by human rights principles recognized by the U.N. and the 56 OSCE participating States."

"Fighting poverty and encouraging sustainable and equitable economic growth on the household, community, and national levels in Tajikistan can only be achieved if fundamental human rights principles are respected. By celebrating Human Rights Day and Anti-corruption Day in Tajikistan, we can help bring together Government officials, members of the NGO community, civil society and the public," added Klaus Rasmussen.

The OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, which has been present in Tajikistan since 1994, annually helps celebrate Human Rights Day in Tajikistan.