On Wednesday October 21, the newly appointed Head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Mulugeta Zewdie, presented his credentials to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Muzaffar Huseinzoda, according to the Tajik MFA information department.
During the meeting, the parties reportedly exchanged views on important aspects of cooperation between Tajikistan and UNHCR and other issues of mutual interest.
UNHCR opened an office in Tajikistan in 1993, when the country was torn by civil war two years after the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union. That year, Tajikistan became the first country in Central Asia to accede to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. It was also the first country in the region to adopt national refugee legislation. UNHCR has helped people displaced by the civil war to return home as well as assisting refugees.
In Tajikistan, UNHCR works closely with the Government and other partners to identify and achieve solutions for stateless people. UNHCR also supports the strengthening of national asylum systems, while ensuring sufficient capacity to address any gaps in mandate RSD (refugee status determination).
