DUSHANBE, February 27, Asia-Plus - UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Ms. Asma Jahangir arrived in Dushanbe on February 26.

According to the Tajik MFA, Ms. Jahangir arrived in Tajikistan by invitation of the Tajik government to assess the situation on observance of religion and belief rights of people in the country.   

During her six-day stay in Tajikistan UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief is scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zaripov, State Adviser to the Tajik President for Social Development Karomatullo Olimov, Prosecutor-General Bobojon Bobokhonov, Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov, Justice Minister Bakhtiyor Khudoyorov, as well as Head of the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peace-Building (UNTOP) Vladimir Sotirov and senior representatives from other international non-government organizations active in Tajikistan.   

A source at the MFA added that Ms. Jahangir is also scheduled to visit the northern province of Sughd, in particular the Isfara district, to meet with local authorities and clerics.

The main purpose of the visit is for UN Special Rapporteur to monitor fulfillment by Tajikistan of its obligations on the 1981 Declaration on Religious Intolerance.  

Asma Jahangir is expected to submit a report on her conclusions and recommendations based on the results of the visit to the Commission on Human Rights.