DUSHANBE, March 19, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- Amirsho Miraliyev, the First Deputy Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) yesterday received a delegation of the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC), led by Ms. Caroline Douilliez-Sabouba, Deputy Head of Operations for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at ICRC.

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, says the sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the ICRC.

The ICRC representatives noted that the ICRC intends to open its offices also in the north and south of Tajikistan before the end of this year, the spokesman noted.

The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, its Statutes – and those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.  The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence.  It takes action in response to emergencies and at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

In Tajikistan, the ICRC has been working since 1992 and it carried out a major humanitarian operation here during the 1992-1997 civil war.  More recently, the organization has supported the mine-awareness program and other activities of Tajikistan’s Red Crescent.  The ICRC also supports Dushanbe limb-fitting center, which provides physical rehabilitation services for mine victims and other disabled people.  In addition, the organization promotes international humanitarian law in the country.