UK Calls for Enhanced Security, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development in Tajikistan at OSCE Meeting

Thank you, Chair.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Deputy Head Turcan at the Permanent Council and express my gratitude for your report. I also wish to personally thank you and your team for the support and hospitality extended to my Ambassador during his recent visit to Dushanbe. He had the opportunity to witness first-hand the commendable work being undertaken across all three OSCE dimensions of security.

Promoting Gender Equality

There are several key areas of the Programme Office’s work that I would like to emphasise, particularly those that are significant to the UK.

Firstly, I would like to commend the Mission’s efforts in promoting gender equality. This includes initiatives aimed at supporting survivors of domestic violence through Women’s Resource Centres and enhancing police capacity. These centres play a crucial role by providing essential shelter and services, enabling women to escape cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives. The UK remains firmly committed to tackling gender-based violence in all its forms.

Enhancing Regional Security

Secondly, I wish to highlight the Programme Office’s pivotal role in fostering cross-border cooperation and enhancing regional security. It is encouraging to note our increased support package for both the Programme Office and the Border Management Staff College. These entities are instrumental in countering emerging threats, which include organised crime, financing of terrorism, irregular migration, and challenges posed by new technologies. The newly funded border security project from the UK will concentrate on improving operational capabilities, fortifying training and institutional capacity, while also addressing gender disparities in frontline border management. We are dedicated to collaborating with Tajikistan, its neighbouring countries, and OSCE institutions to tackle regional issues, particularly those arising from the situation in Afghanistan.

Advancing Human Rights and Media Standards

Thirdly, we applaud the Mission’s work in the human dimension, especially concerning penal reform and the integration of human rights into government training programmes. Moreover, as the UK currently co-chairs the Media Freedom Coalition, we wholeheartedly support efforts aimed at enhancing media standards.

Supporting Sustainable Economic Growth

Lastly, we back Tajikistan’s aspirations for sustainable economic growth. Achieving this goal necessitates a stable and transparent investment climate, firmly rooted in the rule of law.

We continue to be strong advocates of your mandate. As with all field missions, we encourage a sustained focus on delivering tangible impacts on the ground, closely aligned with OSCE commitments, especially in the current environment of resource constraints.

Thank you.