DUSHANBE, April 8, 2014, Asia-Plus – On Tuesday April 8, First Deputy Speaker of Tajikistan’s Lower Chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of Parliament, Mr. Amirsho Miraliyev, met here with Ms. Severine Chappaz, outgoing Head of the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) Mission in Tajikistan whose tenure to Tajikistan has ended and Mr. Andre Pake, new Head of ICRC Mission in Tajikistan.
Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, says the sides discussed issues related to cooperation between ICRC and relevant ministries and agencies of Tajikistan.
Tajik deputy parliament speaker reportedly expressed satisfaction with activities of the ICRC in Tajikistan and noted that Tajik parliament would provide support for ICRC programs and projects in Tajikistan in the future as well.
The sides touched upon issues concerning creation of rule-of-law democratic society in Tajikistan, expansion of cooperation between Tajik parliament and the European parliament, demining operations in border areas, etc.
Since 1992, the ICRC has been supporting the authorities in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in promoting IHL and other humanitarian norms and their integration into national legislation, academic curricula and the practices of military and security forces. It also helps boost the capacity of the region’s Red Crescent Societies.
In Tajikistan, the ICRC works jointly with the Red Crescent Society to alleviate long-standing consequences of internal conflict. The two organizations raise the local population’s awareness of the serious threat posed by landmines and other unexploded remnants of war and promote a legal framework on the issue of missing persons. It also works with a range of law-enforcement agencies to promote adherence to applicable international human rights norms and internationally accepted standards for law-enforcement.
The delegation supports the permanent integration of IHL, and other international standards applicable to situations of violence, into military mechanisms and regulations.
In all four countries, the ICRC aims to bolster the capacities of National Red Crescent Societies and reinforce their role as auxiliary to their States in humanitarian work. To this end it provides them with financial and technical support and legal advice. In particular, the ICRC helps to strengthen the National Societies’ capacity to: respond to emergencies; promote IHL and humanitarian principles; offer Restoring Family Links services; and in Tajikistan, to provide mine-risk education for populations in regions affected by mines.
