UN Resident Coordinator's speech on the International Human Rights Day 2022

Mr. Umed Bobozoda, Ombudsman of the Republic of Tajikistan

Zarif Alizoda, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan for Legal Affairs

Distinguished Participants

Asalomu Aleykum

Thank you for this opportunity to talk on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Tajikistan to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that promises dignity, freedom and justice for each and every human being.  It is a duty for all of us to take action to transform the ambitions of the Declaration into reality to improve the lives of everyone.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a young country, Tajikistan is making many efforts to live up to the promise of the Universal Human Rights Declaration. The country has become a party to many core international treaties that lay the legal foundation for human rights protection on its territory.

The government engages in a constructive dialogue with the UN Committees to discuss the status of implementation of its various human rights obligations and regularly receives recommendations to make further improvements, including recent recommendations issued through the Universal Periodic Review and by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. What’s needed now is to analyze and reflect on these recommendations that come from peers, that come from other member states who have gone through the same journey; member states who themselves had many questions and struggles to implement them, to better understand why and how improvements can be made.

While Tajikistan has not yet issued a standing invitation to UN Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, it routinely invites Special Rapporteurs to visit the country and discuss their observations with the Government. These days the Special Rapporteur on the situation with human rights defenders Ms Mary Lawlor is in Tajikistan examining the situation of activists, such as journalists, lawyers, civil society organizations and regular citizens, who promote and protect human rights using peaceful means. She will share her results with the authorities today and as the UN, we look forward to working with authorities and civil society to address any issues that she may identify.

Tajikistan also has some achievements in developing its national human rights legal framework. A good example is the adoption of the law on equality and non-discrimination this year which complies with many international human rights standards. But of course, as with any law, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. It’s important that authorities make all the effort to ensure implementation of these laws including informing the public of their content, building capacity of civil servants and providing support to other entities, including the private sector to implement them.

All these positive developments certainly do not come without challenges. There are still a number of core human rights treaties to be ratified. In particular, I would like to mention the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture which establishes national preventive mechanism and the second optional protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which abolishes a death penalty.

I have been very closely involved in the work on People Living with Disabilities and have observed positive developments. Ratifying that Convention will not only be a big impetus to the work in this area but also help improve Tajikistan’s standing in the international human rights community. I urge you to take advantage of such low hanging fruits and ratify this Convention and all other pending legal instruments at the soonest.  

In 2009 Tajikistan established the Office of the Ombudsman, as the Commissioner for Human Rights to help protect the rights of people and educate them on what these rights are. This meeting is a good example of such work. The Ombudsperson’s Office is still relatively new and will need to continue taking steps to comply with the Paris Principles and to achieve an “A” rating – which is needed to confirm its status as an independent institution with the legal framework and capacities to deliver its functions in compliance with international human rights standards. The UN remains committed to working with you Sir to help the Your Office achieve the status and the means that you need to deliver on the expectations of the citizens of Tajikistan.

In sum, while Tajikistan has made important strides on its journey to protect and promote human rights, there is more work to be done to ensure a robust human rights framework, capacities and understanding in the country.  

Distinguished participants,

In this part of my speech, I would like to touch upon the role of civil society and citizens in the achievement of human development and human rights.  

The development and security challenges we face in any country, anywhere in the world today are extremely complex. No government can claim to have the answers or the means to tackle all of them. They need the partnership and participation of the citizens – individual or organized - in identifying and implementing solutions. And for that, all countries need a vigorous civil society, who is empowered and enabled to participate in meaningful discussions and actions that effect their lives.

This can take place in many forms.

• The one we are most familiar with is NGOs who provide service delivery to complement the work of the State. Whether it is public health or poverty reduction or public infrastructure – there are many of these around us. Their service is invaluable.

• But we also need civil society to monitor public and private institutions to ensure accountability and to fight corruption. There are many such organizations around the world who help us identify fake news, stop corrupt practices in the private and public sector, or abuse of power in any setting. Journalists are a key and invaluable player in this area. I keep mentioning anti-corruption today as 9 December is also the International Anti-corruption Day.

• Similarly, we need advocacy groups to transform societal attitudes and behaviors in ways that are conducive to peace and sustainable development. For example, currently we are implementing a campaign jointly with the Government to fight gender-based violence. Many civil society organizations, youth associations and the media are participating to demonstrate the negative impact of violence against women, help change harmful societal practices

But to have such groups, we need a free and enabling civic space where people can freely come together, express opinions and organize for collective action. Whether it is a non-governmental organization; a media outlet; a trade union; a community-based association – all and every one of these and their activism is necessary for a vibrant, healthy, peaceful and progressive society.

Ensuring a free and enabling civic space is also a safety valve to prevent conflict and respond to societal grievances. Denying an outlet to feelings of anger and of dissatisfaction can fuel extremism, violence and conflict. Enabling people to engage in peaceful, legal and constructive ways to express those grievances and to have a say in addressing them however, is the best way to respond to such issues and to ensure societal cohesion and trust between state and citizens. In this sense, an investment in civic space is an investment in resilience and an investment in security.

I would like to quote the previous High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet who has reminded all of us that:

“It is not an act of terrorism to disagree with a Government’s policies. 

It is not an act of extremism to stand up for human rights.

Criticism is not the same thing as treason.

Material that is uncomfortable is not the same as material that is unlawful.”

Let ensure that there is space and there are mechanisms for peaceful, meaningful and lawful dialogue and action by citizens to address their grievances before those grievances turn into security threats for the society.

In ending,

• let me thank the Office of the Ombudsman for the invitation to this event;
• let me acknowledge and appreciate the good cooperation with the Department of Human Rights Guarantees of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan which is a key state institution in coordinating state efforts for reporting on the country’s human rights commitments
• and let me reiterate the commitment of the UN system to work with the authorities and the civil society to support Tajikistan in upholding its international commitments and obligations as an active and responsible member of the United Nations.

I thank you for your kind attention and wish you a meaningful discussion.