DUSHANBE, July 27, 2015, Asia-Plus – Organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, Government of Tajikistan and civil society organizations, the Eighth Preparatory Human Dimension Implementation Meeting kicked off in Dushanbe today.

According to the OSCE office, the two-day is taking place in the premises of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in a roundtable discussion format. It has reportedly brought together 120 participants, including representatives of 29 government agencies, all political parties and NGOs as well as media, lawyers, experts and activists.  International agencies and diplomatic missions are also participating to give their recommendations.

The conference is co-chaired by, Zarif Alizoda, Human Rights Ombudsman, Muzaffar Ashuriyon, Head of Human Rights Department at President’s Executive Office and Beatriz Balbin, Deputy Director of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

This year, the debate will focus on the impact of restrictive policies related to economic, financial, migration and security crisis on general human rights situation, including freedom of expression and association and freedom of assembly.  Rights of military personnel, quality of education and other services, freedom from discrimination and issue of statelessness, prevention of domestic violence and police reform, as well as impact of returns of migrants on socio-economic and security situation in communities will also be discussed.