Kent Harstedt, Deputy Head of the Swedish Delegation to the OSCE PA (right), meets Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on 22 January in Dushanbe. (photo courtesy of Khovar)COPENHAGEN, 22 January 2014 – A delegation of OSCE Parliamentarians has completed a study visit to Tajikistan that included meetings with President Emomali Rahmon, Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov, lawmakers and representatives of civil society and the media.

The delegation consisted of six OSCE Parliamentarians from Sweden, including Deputy Head of the Swedish Delegation to the OSCE PA Kent Harstedt, and three OSCE Parliamentarians from Denmark, including Head of the Danish Delegation to the OSCE PA Peter Juel Jensen. Ake Peterson, Sweden's ambassador to Tajikistan, accompanied the delegation.

Meetings with President Rahmon, Foreign Minister Aslov, and Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Shukurjon Zukhurov on 22 January touched on a wide range of issues concerning comprehensive security and OSCE activities in the country. Among them were the situation in Afghanistan and its effect on Tajikistan; efforts to strengthen the Afghan-Tajik border to combat drug-smuggling; prospects for improved co-operation among Central Asian states; demining efforts; the need to further develop democracy, civil society, and a free press; and the importance of improving human rights and rule of law in the country.

"Tajikistan has improved its economy and lowered its unemployment rate, yet there are many challenges ahead. The Swedish-Danish delegation has especially raised concerns about gender inequality, the conditions for the political opposition and prisoners," said Parliamentarian Kent Harstedt.

"The discussions have been frank and constructive and we look forward to continued cooperation with Tajikistan," he added.

On 21 January, Parliamentarians met with representatives of human rights organizations and the media to discuss issues including the use of torture, the rights of disabled persons, women's rights, freedoms of association and speech and self-censorship. The delegation also visited the Women's Resource Centre in Khuroson, where they were briefed on gender issues and domestic violence in the country.

The study visit also allowed Parliamentarians to learn first-hand about the work of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, led by Ambassador Marcus Mueller, and to consider avenues for increased cooperation between the Office and the Parliamentary Assembly. The delegation met administrators and course participants from the OSCE Border Management College during their visit to the Office and completed a field trip to Khoja Obigarm to observe an OSCE-financed winter training session for border officers.