The cooperation of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
There were only 4 international employees in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) when the Mission has started is activities in Tajikistan. The first two staff members had arrived in Tajikistan in February 1994; by that time this Central Asian country had been the official member of the OSCE for two years (since January 1992).
During the civil war (1992-1997), the Mission has been establishing a dialogue between the regional and political forces, dealing with the respect for human rights issues and supporting its adherence to the standards and principles of the Organization; it also conducted a monitoring for their observance. Moreover, the Mission has assisted in the development of national legal and democratic institutes and processes. The OSCE in cooperation with the UNMOT (Mission of Observers in Tajikistan) has contributed in the peace-keeping process, acting as a guarantor for ensuring the terms of the Peace Agreement that was signed in June 1997. A special role of the Mission was to assist in the implementation of the protocols of the Agreement on political issues, on the terms for the return of refugees and on the military aspects.
The first multiparty parliamentary elections were conducted in February 2000. The event has also become a key milestone for the Organization – it has served as the completion of the Peace Agreement and initiated the changes in the nature of the Mission activities. Eventually, 5 Field Offices were founded in the following areas of Tajikistan: Gharm, Khujand, Kulyab, Kurgan-Tyube and Shaartuz. At that time, there were 15 international staff members working in the Mission. The Mission activity was refocused on post-conflict reconstruction and on development of democratic institutes.
The following years brought new changes. In 2002 the OSCE participating States made a decision to broaden the mandate of the Mission by including an activity aimed to resolve the most challenging economic and ecological problems in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, the Mission was renamed to the “OSCE Center in Dushanbe.”
In 2008, the mandate of the Organization was even more expanded; also, the name has also been changed into the “OSCE Office in Tajikistan”. Currently, the Office functions in the majority of directions. More than 215 of national and international staff continue to assist in the implementation of the OSCE principles and commitments, as well as to contribute in strengthening the legal system and democratic institutes.
The Office in close cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan renders assistance to Tajikistan in establishing contacts and in fostering sharing the information on the regional level, as well as in involvement of internal resources, including the Office on Democratic Institutes and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE representative on the freedom of mass media. The Bureau also assists in establishing contacts with local authorities, universities, and research institutions, with civil society and non-governmental organizations.
