Swiss OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office in Tajikistan support regional dialogue on human rights

DUSHANBE, 21 May 2014 -- Strengthening the role of civil society organizations in the areas of prevention of torture, protection of human rights defenders and freedom of association in Central Asia and Mongolia was the focus of a two-day regional workshop that concluded in Dushanbe today.

Some 30 representatives from regional civil society organizations took part in the discussion organized jointly by the 2014 Swiss OSCE Chairmanship and the Civic Solidarity Platform, with the support of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. 

“Our work in Tajikistan is based on an annual consultative process involving government and civil society that is unique in the OSCE, and we welcome the fact that Tajikistan decided to host the event,” stated Ambassador Markus Müller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Müller said that the Swiss Chairmanship recognized the added value of the consultative experience in Tajikistan. “This meeting brought together experts and activists who discussed how we can work together more closely and constructively in shaping human right policy and practice.  “

Peter Mikula, Country Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Dushanbe said the workshop was meant to strengthen the role of the civil society – one of the OSCE Swiss Chairmanship’s priorities. “Civil society engagement is all about solidarity, and this does not stop at national borders. The solidarity must translate into common actions in support of creating security community for the benefit of everyone in the Central Asian Region.”

Zarif Alizoda, Ombudsman of Tajikistan, underlined the Ombudsman’s role as a link between the government and civil society and described the workshop as an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation. .

Nigina Bakhrieva, Executive Director of Nota Bene, an organization that is part of the regional Civic Solidarity Platform, said the voice of civil society has grown stronger in recent years, and called on all participants to propose recommendations on how to make sure the voice is heard by everyone.

The event in Dushanbe is the third in a series of four regional workshops held in Belgrade, Vienna, and Tbilisi. The outcomes of the workshops will translate into recommendations for the Civil Society Conference to take place on the margins of the Ministerial Council in Basel in December 2014.  Under the leitmotiv: “Creating a Security Community for the benefit of everyone,” the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship has engaged in a dialogue with civil society to steer the implementation OSCE commitments to improve people’s lives.