On 1 February 2020, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), Brussels, together with Notabene (member of Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan), Dushanbe, and Khoma (member of Tajik Media Council), Dushanbe, launched a project which aims to enhance civil society cooperation with state bodies in Tajikistan and to monitor fundamental rights. The project is funded by the European Union’s Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) and will be implemented in Tajikistan over the next 18 months.
Under the project, Notabene and Khoma will engage with different government bodies to establish cooperation and coordination in view of the adoption of the National Strategy for Human Rights (NSHR) and elaboration of its Action Plan in 2021. A wide range of civil society organizations from the Media Council and the Coalition against Torture and Impunity will be involved in nation-wide consultation platforms and processes in the run up to the adoption of the NSHR. Project partners will also work with state partners and civil society organizations to develop a legislative framework for the establishment of nationwide Public Councils – specialized bodies facilitating the institutionalization of state-civil society cooperation across a range of policy and legislative issues. The project will also aim to improve cooperation between media professionals and government bodies, and ensure access to public information. A number of capacity building activities for human rights organizations, journalists and government officials will be implemented during the duration of the project.
The situation regarding the protection of fundamental rights and media freedoms in Tajikistan requires close monitoring and documentation.
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