My Visit to Tajikistan by Baroness Vivien Stern

I have just returned to the UK from a three-day visit to Dushanbe. I first visited Tajikistan In 2010 and I visited again in 2011. So this was my third opportunity to spend some time in this beautiful country. All my visits were organised by the British Embassy. As I am a member of the Upper House (the House of Lords) in the British parliament one purpose of the visits is to strengthen the relationship between the parliament in Tajikistan and the parliament in the UK.  

My visit was very interesting and worthwhile. I had an opportunity to hear the latest plans of the parliamentary Committee on Lawmaking and Human Rights chaired by Mr Mahmadali Vatanov, to meet again Mr. Izatullo Sharipov, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Zarif Alizoda, the Human Rights Ombudsman, and Mr Nurullo Oripov from the Ministry of the Interior.  I also met the Coalition Against Torture, a very impressive group of human rights NGOs.

I was very pleased indeed to hear of some positive developments. The invitation by the Government to Juan Mendez, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, to visit Tajikistan and visit places of detention, the passing of the new law against domestic violence and the plans for reforming the police are all very welcome.

I look forward to visiting Tajikistan again soon to see yet more progress that has been made in implementing human rights and to spend time again with all my friends there.