DUSHANBE, December 11, 2013, Asia-Plus — UNDP has launched Rule of Law and Access to Justice Program in Tajikistan.
An official signing ceremony of the agreements between UNDP and Government of Finland to launch Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights to Empower People in Tajikistan Project (2014-2017) and with Swiss Cooperation Office (SDC) to implement main phase of Access to Justice in Tajikistan Project (2013-2016), which has been started with inception phase in December 2012 until November 2013, was held at UNDP Country Office in Dushanbe on December 10.
According to press release issued by UNDP, the main objective of these two Projects are to: strengthen the Rule of Law and Access to Justice in Tajikistan; enhance capacity of National Human Rights and Justice System and actors in Tajikistan to better implement international recommendations and standards; develop capacities and oversight mechanism of justice and penitentiary institutions; and empower citizens and most vulnerable groups, especially child and youth at risk, persons with disabilities and rural women with better access to justice and legal aid services.
The ceremony was reportedly facilitated by UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan Alexander Zuev. The event was attended by Minister of Justice Rustam Mengliyev and Ombudsman of Tajikistan Zarif Alizoda.
From donors’ side, the event was attended by Ambassador of Finland to Tajikistan Niklas Lindqvist and Country Director of Swiss Cooperation Office Peter Mikula. In addition, representatives of other partner international organizations, local and international NGO`s based in Tajikistan also took part in the ceremony.
As stated UN RC/UNDP RR Alexander Zuev: joining this important event by Government of Tajikistan demonstrates (1) high interest and ownership of the Government of Tajikistan to this topic and (2) gives a greater impulse for more active participation of donors in mutual partnership and achieving common goals in accordance with national development priorities outlined in different national development strategies, especially in Mid Term Development Strategy of Tajikistan.
Thus, UNDP Tajikistan intends to support the Government of Tajikistan in Rule of Law Policy Reforms and further consolidate the donors attention and resources around this issue to extend possible.
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