NGOs%20and%20War:%20the%20case%20of%20Tajikistan

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Nigina Bakhrieva, June 6, 2007
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NGOs and War The Case of Tajikistan

• Nigina Bakhrieva
• Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow
• National Endowment for Democracy
• June 6, 2007

• Please note that the views expressed in this
  presentation represent the opinions and analysis
  of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect
  those of the National Endowment of Democracy.

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Tajikistan Basic Facts

• Tajikistan is slightly smaller than Wisconsin
  (143,100 km2)
• The capital is Dushanbe
• The national language is Tajik (Farsi)
• The countrys population is 7 million
• 26 of Tajiks live in urban areas, 74 in rural
  areas
• 93 of the country is mountainous
• Rivers and lakes are a major natural resource
• Government consists of two chambers the National
  Assembly, comprising 25 elected and 8 appointed
  members and the Assembly of Representatives,
  each of whom is elected for 5-year terms
• The president is elected for a maximum of two
  7-year terms
• Emomali Rahmon has been president since 1992

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Map of Tajikistan
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Tajikistan A Brief History

• 1991 Tajikistan gains independence
• Public unions and informal associations play
  important role
• 19921997 Civil War
• NGOs focus on services and humanitarian aid
• 1997 Peace agreement
• First human-rights organizations
• 1997Present
• Professionalization of NGOs
• Challenge How to advance democratic reforms?

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NGOs After Independence19911992

• New laws on language, freedom of religion,
  freedom of association, and other issues create a
  legal base for the establishment of public
  organizations and parties
• At the same time, revival of nationalism and
  Islamic party lead to regional divisions
• Organizations take political sides and are
  actively involved in struggle for power
• As a result, by the end of 1992, the Supreme
  Court orders most public organizations to shut
  down

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NGOs During Civil War19921997

• Violent civil war causes 50,000 deaths, displaces
  800,000 people many villages burned to the
  ground
• International donors provide humanitarian
  services and disaster relief
• Donors also assist in the formation of local NGOs
  that provide similar services
• Local NGOs, however, are not designed to promote
  human rights or basic freedoms, nor do they
  participate in national political debate
• By 1997, 380 such organizations are registered in
  Tajikistan, mostly in the Dushanbe area

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NGOs After the War 19972007

• 1997 peace agreement between government and
  opposition forces emphasizes foundation of
  democratic society
• However, president maintains one-party rule
• First human rights organizations founded in 2000
  attempt to provide legal aid and educational
  programs
• Later, groups begin advocating public interest,
  participate in national legislation
• Womens rights, death penalty, other specific
  issues
• Complaints to UN Committee on Human Rights
• Work with international NGOs (Amnesty
  International, Human Rights Watch)

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NGO Strengths and Weaknesses

• STRENGTHS
• NGOs have achieved peace and stability
• Dialogue and cooperation with government (unlike
  human rights organizations of other Central Asian
  countries)
• Professional and non-political
• NGOs influence decisions
• Law on gender equality, human trafficking,
  blocking of legis-lation on religious
  organizations, moratorium on death penalty
• WEAKNESSES
• NGOs are still timid, self-limiting
• Too few NGOs
• Many NGOs are led by government officials
• Strength Effective lobbyists
• Weakness Do not pressure government to improve
  human rights

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Recommendations for the International Community

• Be aware that GONGOs (govt.-operated NGOs) are
  widespread
• While effective for organizing educational
  activities, supporting GONGOs limits the
  operations of independent groups.
• Do not expect concrete results
• Often, prevention of violations are results
• Some good initiatives end in disappointment
• Results accrue over time (e.g. moratorium on
  death penalty)
• Support sustainable development
• Donors should not ask NGOs merely to execute
  their wishes
• Grants should allow NGOs to design their own
  strategies, projects, and priorities
• Demand inclusion of local NGOs many donors
  prefer large, international programs
• Dont be too rigid with categories
• NGOs with diverse skills can tackle more problems
  effectively

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NGOs and War The Case of Tajikistan

• THE END

Nigina Bakhrieva Reagan-Fascell Democracy
Fellow National Endowment for Democracy June 6,
2007