—Nigina Bakhrieva, June 6, 2007 ”

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.

Tajikistan: Basic Facts Tajikistan is slightly smaller than Wisconsin (143,100 km 2 ) Tajikistan is slightly smaller than Wisconsin (143,100 km 2 ) The capital is Dushanbe The capital is Dushanbe The national language is Tajik (Farsi) The national language is Tajik (Farsi) The country’s population is 7 million The country’s population is 7 million 26% of Tajiks live in urban areas, 74% in rural areas 26% of Tajiks live in urban areas, 74% in rural areas 93% of the country is mountainous 93% of the country is mountainous Rivers and lakes are a major natural resource 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 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 The president is elected for a maximum of two 7-year terms Emomali Rahmon has been president since 1992 Emomali Rahmon has been president since 1992

Map of Tajikistan

Tajikistan: A Brief History 1991: Tajikistan gains independence 1991: Tajikistan gains independence Public unions and informal associations play important rolePublic unions and informal associations play important role 1992–1997: Civil War 1992–1997: Civil War NGOs focus on services and humanitarian aidNGOs focus on services and humanitarian aid 1997: Peace agreement 1997: Peace agreement First human-rights organizationsFirst human-rights organizations 1997–Present 1997–Present Professionalization of NGOsProfessionalization of NGOs Challenge: How to advance democratic reforms?Challenge: How to advance democratic reforms?

NGOs After Independence 1991–1992 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 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 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 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 As a result, by the end of 1992, the Supreme Court orders most public organizations to shut down

NGOs During Civil War 1992–1997 Violent civil war causes 50,000 deaths, displaces 800,000 people; many villages burned to the ground 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 International donors provide humanitarian services and disaster relief Donors also assist in the formation of local NGOs that provide similar services 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 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 By 1997, 380 such organizations are registered in Tajikistan, mostly in the Dushanbe area

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

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

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

NGOs and War: The Case of Tajikistan THE END Nigina Bakhrieva Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow National Endowment for Democracy June 6, 2007