OSCE Office in Tajikistan

More than 7.5 million square metres of land in Tajikistan is suspected to be contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Some 850 people were injured or killed in landmine accidents. Landmines and UXO in Tajikistan pose a serious hazard for humans and have a negative impact on development; hinder effective border security and management; and undermine mutual confidence and security building in Central Asia.

The Office assists the Tajik Government in its efforts to eradicate this dangerous threat in compliance with the Ottawa convention. The Mine Action Programme – the first and only of its kind for the OSCE – has been set up in 2003. This Programme has two objectives: First, to assist the government of Tajikistan to collaborate effectively with neighbouring states in the field of Mine Action; and second, to reduce the threat posed by landmines and UXO, as well as to develop national Mine Action capacities.

The Office has supported clearance and release of almost five million square metres of contaminated areas with some 14,000 landmines and unexploded ordnances destroyed in the process. The Office also introduced to Tajikistan new humanitarian de-mining methodologies and capabilities, and brought mine detection dogs and mechanical de-mining equipment. With the Office’s assistance, national humanitarian de-mining organizations – under the Ministry of Defence and as part of civil society – have been created.

On the regional level, the Office has been encouraging dialogue and technical co-operation among Central Asian participating States and Afghanistan, to find solutions for the challenges and concerns related to the hazards posed by explosives and munitions. It regularly organizes workshops, exchange visits and training programmes, and organizes expert networking opportunities.