DUSHANBE, November 5, 2014, Asia-Plus — The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors visited the Tajik northern Sughd province on November 4.
On the same day, she met in Khujand with Sughd Governor Abdurahmon Qodiri.
According to the Sughd regional administration, the two discussed state of ethnic minorities in the province.
The governor reportedly said that in all districts and cities of the province, where ethnic minorities lived they had an opportunity to study in their native languages.
Of 35,000 small farming units operating in the province 10,000 are run by ethnic Uzbeks and ethnic Kyrgyz, Qodiri noted.
During the meeting, Qodiri and Thors also touched upon issues related to relations in border areas, the source said.
On November 4, Ms. Thors also met with representatives of ethnic communities at the OSCE field office in Khujand.
The meeting participants reportedly pointed to the necessity of developing and strengthening relations between residents of border areas in the Tajik Isfara district and the Kyrgyz Batken district.
The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) gets involved in a situation if there are tensions involving national minorities which could develop into a conflict. Much of the day-to-day work is in identifying and addressing causes of ethnic tensions and conflicts. The High Commissioner addresses the short-term triggers of inter-ethnic tension or conflict and long-term structural concerns. If a participating State is not meeting its political commitments or international norms, the High Commissioner will assist by providing analysis and recommendations. Based on experience, the HCNM publishes thematic Recommendations and Guidelines that give advice on common challenges and best practice. The High Commissioner also provides structural support through small collaborative projects that aim to achieve sustainability through increasing local ownership.
