The OSCE Office in Tajikistan in partnership with the Tajikistan National Mine Action Center and local authorities organized a roundtable discussion on landmine threats awareness in Farob on September 20.

According to the OSCE Office, the event was a culmination of a four-month public awareness campaign, which included broadcasting of risk awareness clips on Tajikistan national TV and radio as well as a painting competition in districts under landmine threat.

Muhabbat Ibrohimzoda, Director of Tajikistan’s National Mine Action Centre said: “Landmines are silent and hidden killers. They don’t differentiate and strike regardless whether it is a military or a civilian; an old man or a child, a woman or a man. They impose an immense psychological pressure upon surrounding communities.”  Ibrohimzoda also noted that landmines deny access to usable farming and pasturing lands.

Fabio Piana, Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, underlined: “We strongly believe that the efforts carried out in partnership with the Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre will help to raise awareness among populations living in areas contaminated by mines, unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants and contribute to a reduction in the number of mine victims in Tajikistan.”

“The OSCE Office in Tajikistan has been one of the strongest supporters of humanitarian Mine Action in Tajikistan since 2003,” said Fejzo Numanaj, Head of the OSCE’s Office’s Politico-Military Department.  “In 2016, for the first time, the OSCE also supported mine risk education activities in the country.”

The event is part of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan’s support to the Government of Tajikistan in fulfilling its obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty.