DUSHANBE, April 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Deputy Speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), Ms. Shujoat Hasanova, yesterday received experts from the Danish Institute for Human Rights Mr. Christian Knust (phonetically spelled) and Mr. Gerald Jepson as well as the Institute adviser in Tajikistan Mr. Umed Qalandarov at their request

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, said the sides had discussed the present human rights situation in the country as well as issues related to establishment of cooperation between Tajik parliament and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Ms. Hasanova briefed the guests on activity of both chambers of the parliament and the country’s laws on protection of rights of citizens in the country.

For their part, the experts expressed readiness to provide assistance with familiarizing European universities with Tajikistan’s human rights laws and collecting opinions of international experts of them, Sultonov said.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) is an independent, national human rights institution modeled in accordance with the UN Paris Principles.  The Institute, which was established by statute in 2002, carries on the mandate vested in the Danish Center for Human Rights in 1987.  This encompasses research, education and the implementation of national and international programs.  The Institute is part of the Danish Centre for International Studies and Human Rights (DCISM), which also includes a sister institute, the Danish Institute of International Studies (DIIS).