The 7th Civil Society Seminar on “Addressing Radicalization and Violent Extremism – Central Asian Perspective” took place in Dushanbe on October 11-12.
According to the European Delegation to Tajikistan, the aim of this European Union – Tajikistan Civil Society Seminar was to empower Tajik NGOs, educate them on this topic, as well to enable them to share information and create contacts among themselves and with their foreign counterparts. Therefore the seminar participants included mainly representatives of Tajik civil society and media. Also Tajik government officials and diplomats working in Dushanbe participated in the seminar.
The Head of the EU Delegation Hidajet Biscevic noted during the seminar that non-governmental organizations play an essential role in consolidation of society and development of democracy and pluralism. Therefore it is of utmost importance for Tajikistan, while it is facing various challenges, including radicalization and violent extremism, that the state and the civil society work together on consensual social atmosphere to expand inclusive dialogue and broaden human rights.
"Only mutual and shared responsibility, understanding of broader political context and recognition of democracy as the best foundation of stability could provide this proper balance, to the best interest of the country faced with many challenges, difficulties and potential threats," noted Mr. Biscevic.
In total around 70 participants attended the seminar, of which more than 10 high-level speakers– scholars, experts and NGO activists from Europe, for instance Germany and Denmark, and from Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan).
The civil society seminar is a part of the annual Human Rights Dialogue organized between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to discuss wide range of issues in the field of human rights. One of the key aims of the seminar is the formulation of the common recommendations by the civil society, which later will be studied by the EU and presented to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
