PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe – UK response [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

Ambassador Neil Holland voices UK support for the OSCE Programme Office’s work in Tajikistan, especially on border security, gender equality, and human rights.

Ambassador Kempel, welcome to the Permanent Council and thank you for your report. Your presence after a long vacancy in the role is very welcome. The OSCE field missions need leadership – as well as reliable resourcing – to operate effectively. We again urge participating States to break the endless impasse over budgets and ensure that all OSCE institutions – including the important Border Management Staff College – are adequately funded to effectively fulfil their mandates.

I would like to highlight several areas of the Programme Office’s work today that are particularly important to the UK.

Firstly, the Mission’s work to promote gender equality and support those affected by domestic violence through the Women’s Resource Centres. The importance the UK attaches to addressing domestic violence cannot be understated. These OSCE centres support vulnerable women and help them engage in crucial advocacy with local administrations to prevent Gender Based Violence.

Secondly, the crucial role the Programme Office plays in facilitating cross-border cooperation and security. Tajikistan has undertaken valuable work in the demarcation of 94% of its border with Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the value of diplomacy and peaceful dialogue. We commend these efforts and look forward to seeing further progress. The UK is also committed to working with Tajikistan, its neighbours and the OSCE to mitigate the challenges arising from Afghanistan.

Finally, I want to commend the mission’s efforts in the human dimension, notably its support to the Government of Tajikistan to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners. I also welcome the Mission’s work with the Government of Tajikistan to embed human rights within government training courses. Issues remain: detention and prosecution of journalists and political opposition, including in but not limited to the Gorno Badakhshan autonomous region, is an issue of concern for the UK; and is undermining Tajikistan’s international reputation and prospects for investment.

Madam Chair, I would like to commend the Government of Tajikistan for their continued leadership on climate and water security, not least demonstrated by their water management event during the 31st OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague this month, as well as the Water Conference in Dushanbe in June. As climate change makes water access more competitive and harder to manage, cooperation and solutions become more vital.

From the environmental climate to the business one. For the Government of Tajikistan to make progress in its efforts towards driving economic development and improving the business climate, it must recognise the importance of offering a predictable business environment where business owners can generate profit. This will encourage quality foreign investment that can create clean growth and jobs for Tajik citizens.

To conclude, I would like to thank you again, Ambassador Kempel, for presenting your report today; and wish you all the best in your new role.

Thank you.