LocationsStatement by Dr. Pratibha Mehta
UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan
5 November 2021, 10:00, National Library, Dushanbe
Your Excellency Mr. Muzaffar Ashuriyon, the Minister of Justice of Tajikistan,
Your Excellency Mr. Shermuhammad Shohiyon, Chairman of the Supreme Court
Distinguished Mr. Alizoda Zarif, Aide to the President of Tajikistan on Legal Affairs
Dear representatives of SDC and MFA Finland
Dear representatives of Civil Society and International Organizations
Ladies and Gentlemen
First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you with celebration of 30th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Tajikistan.
It is an honor for me to participate in the 7th Rule of Law Forum and congratulate Tajikistan on the 27th Anniversary of adoption of Constitution of the Independent Republic of Tajikistan, which was adopted on 6 November 1994 through a national referendum.
The article 1 of Constitution proclaimed Tajikistan as a democratic state based on rule of law and where the rights and liberties of individuals and citizens have supreme value (Art 5). COVID 19 pandemic, which has amplified inequalities, poverty and has exposed entrenched discrimination and gaps in human rights protection, is a stark reminder that equality, justice, voice, freedoms matters and that world will not be able to recover from socio-economic impact of the pandemic without ensuring human rights of all. Rule of law, free and fair justice is the backbone for inclusive, just and sustainable development.
I congratulate Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and the Executive Office of the President for organizing annual multi-stakeholder dialogue on rule of law and how to continuously strengthen policies and implementation and It’s very gratifying to see growing involvement of CSOs and partnership between the State Institutions and Civil Society which is a crucial foundation for good governance and promotion of Rule of Law and Access to Justice.
The 7 years the Rule of Law annual dialogues have provided unique opportunity to relevant state and non-state actors to identify key priorities for Tajikistan’s justice sector, to collaborate on strategic interventions and agree on long-term goals to improve access to justice. The Forum provided opportunity to discuss and adopt important policy documents such as Law on Legal Aid, Law on Access to Courts’ Information and adoption of a special Rule of law section into National Mid-term Development Strategy. In addition, the Forum served as a platform to promote the adoption of the National Action Plan on joining CRPD and State Programme on “Accessible environment” for 2021-2025 to promote disability inclusion in all public service delivery and enjoy public life.
Moreover, this Forum has contributed in mainstreaming SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and the related targets and indicators in national strategic planning and monitoring systems.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past 7 years, Rule of Law Forum has become a useful platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, and now is a good time to review and reflect on the next generation of the Forum. Tajikistan is committed to achieving all SDGs, including SDG16, by 2030 and there is much that needs to be done in the next 8 years. We believe that the rule of Law dialogue forum can now also serve as a rule of law action platform to accelerate achievement of SDG 16 indicators and targets. This multi-stakeholder forum, which includes all relevant State institutions, CSOs, academia and partners should use SDG16 as the organizing framework for dialogue and to identify actions to achieve SDG 16 and promoting Rights based rule of law in Tajikistan and monitor progress.
UNDP stands ready to work with all partners and support the efforts of the Government, including the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and the Office of Ombudsperson, and the CSOs in advancing rule of law and access to justice reforms as well as achievement of SDG16 targets.
I wish you all productive dialogue and successful 7th Rule of Law Forum.
Thank You.
