DUSHANBE, July 31, Asia-Plus — An official ceremony to mark expiry of mandate of the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peace-Building was held in Dushanbe on Tuesday.
Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, the UNTOP Head and UN Secretary General’s Representative to Tajikistan Vladimir Sotirov, representatives from the Tajik government, diplomatic missions and international organizations active in Tajikistan as well as media attended the ceremony.
UNTOP head and Tajik foreign minister expressed gratitude to all those who had made contribution t reestablishment of peace and national accord in Tajikistan.
Those present also honored the memory of four UNMOT members, including Major Ryszard Szewczyk from Poland, Major Adolfo Scharpegge from Uruguay, Yutaka Akino from Japan and Jurakhon Mahramov from Tajikistan, who hat had made contribution to reestablishment of peace in Tajikistan and were murdered on July 20, 1998. Telling the ceremony, Mr. Sotirov noted that UNTOP had implemented a large number of projects in Tajikistan. Our organization has achieved the main goal – establishment of peace,” said Sotirov, “But Tajikistan still has to do a lot to preserve this achievement.”
Established in June 2000 after the mandate of the UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) expired, the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peace-building (UNTOP) covered a uniquely wide range of political, legal, social, security and media issues connected to the current stage of the post conflict peace building development of the country. In particular, it devoted its activity to ensuring the sustainability of the peace process and continues to support and complement the efforts of the Government and others concerned with (1) strengthening democratic institutions and capacities for conflict prevention, through increasing the role of political parties, local assemblies, and civil society in decision-making processes; (2) increasing respect for the rule of law at all levels, including among law enforcement structures; and (3) strengthening of national mechanisms and building national capacities in human rights.
In support of the process of national reconciliation, democratic institution building and promotion of political pluralism, UNTOP maintained political liaison with the government, political parties, media and representatives of civil society. The Office sought to build confidence among key political players and promote a culture of political tolerance and dialogue nationwide. These measures took the form of dialogue building, conflict prevention and resolution projects, as well as quiet diplomacy. The National Dialogue meetings under UNTOP auspices have provided a distinctive countrywide forum for constructive interaction between state authorities (both local and central) and representatives of political parties as well as civil society. They have improved citizens” access to information and generate recommendations and initiatives for further action. This mechanism is broadly recognized as a distinctive tool for promoting political pluralism, transparency, and tolerance in the country.
