DUSHANBE
, March 30, Asia-Plus – “We have suggested to head of Tajik state that observers from the OSCE should attend the upcoming presidential election in
Tajikistan
,” OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, told journalists today following his meeting with President Emomali Rahmonov.
According to him, President Rahmonov said that no problems would be with that.
Mr. Karel De Gucht noted that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) would work out standards of the election that would be better the previous ones.
“The presidential election is an important step toward development of democratic society and I hoe the presidential election in Tajikistan will be held at a proper level,” said the OSCE head, “The chief thing at this stage is that the election should be as transparent and fair as possible.”
The OSCE head also said that he and Tajik foreign minister today reached an agreement that no new law on NGOs would be adopted before the election. According to him, there is no necessity in adopting any laws on NGOs because they may be aimed against these organizations in terms of control.
According to him, during the meeting he and President Rahmonov also discussed the issue of suspension by the Tajik authorities of the BBC’s services to
Tajikistan
on FM frequencies. “It turned out that it was technical problem that will be resolved in near future,” Mr. De Gucht said
On the issue of fighting terrorism and extremism, the OSCE head said that it was an important matter but it should not limit human rights and freedoms.
“There are many means to conduct this fight, including the non-military ones,” said Karel De Gucht, “Among these means, your president named raising role of women in social and political life.”
“For our part, we will make every effort to help you build democratic society,” the OSCE head said.
