DUSHANBE, September 24, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday September 23, the Human Rights Dialogue between the Republic of Tajikistan and the European Union took place for the second time in Dushanbe.

According the Delegation of the European commission in Tajikistan, the dialogue was held in an open atmosphere, with an exchange on a wide range of issues of mutual interest or concern, as well as discussions on possibilities for concrete cooperation in the field of human rights.

The Tajik delegation was headed by Mr. Azizmat Imomov, the First Deputy Minister of Justice, and included Mr. Zarif Alizoda, Ombudsman for Human Rights, as well as representatives from the President''s Executive Office and from various relevant line Ministries, State agencies and the judiciary.

The EU delegation was headed by Mr. Jan Axel Nordlander, Sweden''s Ambassador for Human Rights, and included Ms Riina Kionka, the Personal Representative for Human Rights of the EU Secretary General/High Representative and Mr. Rolf Timans, Head of Human Rights Unit at the European Commission and Ms Silvia Escobar, Spain''s Ambassador for Human Rights as incoming Presidency of the EU.

As a follow-up to last year’s Human Rights Dialogue, the Tajik delegation informed about the developments in the areas of prison conditions, degrading and inhuman treatment and torture, death penalty, the freedom of thought and religion, freedom of expression, the right to health and the right to education. Other issues discussed included democratic elections, the rights of children and the rights of women. The EU delegation noted with satisfaction the establishment of the office of an Ombudsman. His work and future plans were discussed.

During the human rights dialogue meeting the outcome of the EU-Tajikistan civil society seminar held in July in Dushanbe was discussed, including a number of recommendations in the area of the right to a fair trial and the independence of the judiciary. It was agreed to hold a second civil society seminar in spring 2010.

The EU delegation also met representatives of civil society and international organizations active in Tajikistan and representatives of political parties.

The EU delegation proposed to hold the next EU-Tajikistan Human Rights Dialogue meeting in autumn 2010.