LocationsDecember 10, 2020, Hotel “Serena”, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dear Mr. Umed Bobozoda, Human Rights Commissioner in the Republic of Tajikistan,
Dear, Mr. Abdujabbor Sattorzoda, Head of the Human Rights Guarantee Department of the Executive Office of the President,
Your excellency, Ms Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to Tajikistan
Representatives of Government Bodies and Civil Society Organizations,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to be here at the celebration of the International Day of Human Rights which is also the day to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
This year's Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to all recovery efforts. The COVID-19 crisis has further fueled inequalities, income poverty and has amplified structural and entrenched discrimination and other gaps in human rights protection. Lessons from COVID19 pandemic is a stark reminder that equality, justice, voice, freedoms matter and that world will not be able to recover from socio-economic impact of the pandemic without advancing human rights of all. Sustainable Development Goals and human rights together provide a pathway to a healthy planet, a world free of discrimination and exclusion, a world of peace and sustainable prosperity, a world in which no one is left behind.
Since previous speakers have covered the importance of the Human Rights promotion and protection, I would like to stress on the role of today`s Conference organizer -Ombudsman`s Office in the key Human Rights Institution to protect and promote Human Rights in the Republic of Tajikistan, for this reason, UNDP is also supporting three sub0national offices in the country.
Ombudsman role in promotion of human rights cannot be overemphasized. Through their mandate, National Human Rights Institutions play a crucial role in ensuring that human rights are not forgotten, especially in these crisis times by advising governments how to respond to the pandemic while protecting human rights of all; issuing guidance to governments bodies on application of specific and targeted measures to protect the most vulnerable groups in society; monitoring implementation of emergency measures; monitoring human rights in general and the right to health specifically and disseminating information with the right holders.
This year UNDP supported the Ombudsman`s Office to monitor human rights situation in country, particularly to monitor right to accessibility of people with disabilities in the selected regions, we commend Ombudsman’s monitoring efforts and hope that the results of this monitoring exercise will soon be shared and discussed with the stakeholders, I would also like to call on Ombudsman’s office and call for expansion to monitor all Human Rights and yearly publish the human rights situation reports.
Currently, UNDP is providing technical assistance in the formulation of the new MTDP and we strongly encourage Ombudsman’s office to play an active role in ensuring that the new plan is human rights based and in line with the UPR, CEDAW and CRC and other recommendations.
In conclusion, I would like to once again emphasize that Human rights are at the heart of achieving Sustainable Development Goals and the socio-economic recovery from COVID19 impact to ensure that no one is left behind. UNDP is committed to working with all partners to promote and protect all Human Rights and for all in Tajikistan to achieve more resilient, just, and sustainable development
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to a productive discussion today!
