Speeches and Transcripts
Webchat with U.S. Ambassador Jacobson on International Human Rights Day
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
December 10, 2007
In commemoration of International Human Rights Day December 10, U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson led a Web chat with Global Connections and Exchanges students and teachers to discuss human rights issues. The chat was organized by Relief International in Tajikistan and brought together Internet Learning Centers participants, who asked questions about the rights to education, gender equity, as well as about access to information via the Internet.
Ambassador Jacobson: Hello everyone! Thanks so much for joining this web chat. I am the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan, and this is the first time I’ve ever done a web chat. I am pleased to celebrate International Human Rights Day with all of you, as this is a very important topic for my government and my embassy. Here in Tajikistan, we work on human rights with the government, with civil society, and with individuals all over the country. I look forward to hearing your opinions and answering your questions. Thanks.
Ayni_Orzu Tursunzoda: Hello dear Ms. Jacobson and welcome to web chat!
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Hello Ms. Jacobson.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: We are also glad to celebrate this day with you!
Amb. Jacobson: Hello Orzu and Bakhtiyor! Maybe I’ll start with a question. Has anyone seen the International Human Rights report published by the U.S. government? If so, what do you think?
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Unfortunately, I haven’t.
Ayni_Orzu Tursunzoda: Yes, when we were searching some materials about Human Rights we read that report which was published by U.S. government and it was great.
Amb. Jacobson: Well, you should check it out sometime. You can visit our embassy’s website at www.dushanbe.usembassy.gov — we have various links and reports there. We produce a human rights report every year to encourage governments to do more to protect and advance human rights in their countries. We believe that countries can only succeed when individuals feel they have the right to raise their opinion and play a positive role. Of course, NGOs also write reports about human rights in the United States.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Dear Ms. Jacobson, what can you say about advantages and disadvantages of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Farzona_Gafurova: Hello Ms. Jacobson! I am Farzona Gafurova, GCEP exchange student. I congratulate you with International Human Rights Day and want to ask you your opinion about knowledge of students about their rights? Are all know their rights and use them?
Amb. Jacobson: Hello Farzona! I do get to talk to students around the country. I have found that Tajikistan’s students are smart, active and motivated! Some have told me that not everyone understands all of their rights. You can find the UN declaration of human rights at http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html and compare it with Tajikistan’s constitution and law. Of course, implementation of the constitution and laws are also important. Since half the population of Tajikistan is younger than 20, it’s especially important that this generation understand all of its rights. What is your opinion?
Farzona_Gafurova: Yes of course I think so, but as I am a student I know that there are many persons who don’t know their constitution rights, don’t look to their great opportunity which gives to them by government.
Ayni_Orzu Tursunzoda: Every citizen of our country has the right to education. This right is guaranteed by the Constitution. It is not only a right but a duty, too. Every boy and girl must get secondary education. They go to school at the age of seven and must stay there until they are 14-17 years old.
Amb. Jacobson: The right to education is very important — I agree with you. For Tajikistan to succeed it must have a healthy, educated, active population. At our embassy we put a large emphasis on education as well — both through exchange programs, where we send students to the United States and welcome American students here and also through our work directly with the Ministry of Education here in Tajikistan.
Amb. Jacobson: Bakhtiyor, to get back to your question, I think the real advantage of the UN declaration on Human Rights that we celebrate today is that it lays out a clear description of the rights that should be protected for every person on the planet. When a government such as Tajikistan’s commits itself to the Declaration, it is promising to uphold these individual rights — such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of conscience — is its own country.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: What do you think? Is the United Nations still playing such an important role as an international mechanism of the protection of human rights? Or is it losing its position as the main international organization?
Amb. Jacobson: Bakhtiyor, I think the UN has a very important role to play in protecting and promoting human rights. However, it’s important to remember that the UN is only one organization. Other organizations, such as the OSCE, which has a center here in Dushanbe, are also playing a positive role. In the end, the most important role must be played by individuals, who must understand their rights and use them to help their countries develop.
Ayni_Orzu Tursunzoda: Dear Ms. Jacobson we get information that 100% of schools in U.S have Internet access already by 2003 years. To our opinion the influence of Internet Learning Centers in Schools Life is great. What is your opinion?
Amb. Jacobson: Orzu, I am old enough that I remember life before internet, but I can’t imagine living without it now. It is a great tool for finding information, and for communicating. Of course you must look at it critically and analytically and not believe 100% of everything you read…we can only get the truth if we look at multiple sources of information.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: And what do you think about a freedom of speech in Tajikistan? And what do you think about the democratic principles in general? Do they exist or not?
Amb. Jacobson: Bakhtiyor, I should be asking you that question! Of course, if you look at our human rights report, you will see that it says there is still much work to be done in terms of promoting human rights in Tajikistan. This is a job for the government, civil society, and individuals to work towards together.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: But I want to know about your opinion?
Amb. Jacobson: When we talk about human rights, we need to remember there are lots of elements — the ability to participate actively in the political process, independent media, independent courts, a robust civil society. All of these elements exist in Tajikistan to varying degrees. We are working with the government to allow more independent media, for example, community radio stations. We are also working to promote a fair and transparent environment for all political parties. Of course, the political parties themselves have work to do in terms of developing their policies, proposals, and suggestions for the future directions of the government — and for explaining their ideas and getting support from voters.
Amb. Jacobson: Another area that is important for us is freedom of religion. We have participated in recent roundtables hosted by the OSCE, for example, on the new law on religion. We are concerned that an earlier draft of the law didn’t meet Tajikistan’s international obligation. I’m glad to see there’s now an active debate about this law, and hope that the eventual version approved by the parliament will reflect the results of this broad consultation with religious and political organizations.
Amb. Jacobson: The “rule of law” is also an important issue. Are the courts fair? Do they work according to the law, or are they subject to political pressure? The rule of law is not only an important issue for human rights, but also for the business climate and for economic development.
Amb. Jacobson: I hope you will look at our human rights report online at www.dushanbe.usembassy.gov, because it has much more detail, including about specific cases. We prepare the report by talking to individuals, government officials, and NGOs.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Another question: Why women still are not actively participating in the political and economical life of the country. Yes, I agree that some of them are participating but they are too little. Not as in the other countries of Europe for example. What is the main barrier which does not allow them to realize their political and economical rights completely?
Amb. Jacobson: Bakhtiyor — it’s always interesting to me that when I meet with groups of students, it’s usually the women that are most active in the discussion. Some people say it’s because I myself am a woman, so other women feel they can relate to me. I’m glad to have an active man participating in this discussion! I think if the young generation is any example, women will be very active in the political and economic life of the country. Right now, women do face discrimination that has cultural or religious roots. Women in the workforce seem to have a double responsibility — for their careers as well as their families. From what I’ve seen, Tajik women are strong enough to succeed in this challenge. I think the issue of discrimination is best solved through education and advocacy.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: What do you think about the protection of the vulnerable layers of the society in Tajikistan? Are they well-protected or not?
Amb. Jacobson: Inevitably, the most vulnerable layers of society are those that have the least access to education and health care. They have to worry more about basic survival than about promoting their rights. I’ve met people in some very remote and poor regions and have been amazed at how persistent they are in working to make conditions better for their families. The U.S. government has several programs, especially through USAID, aimed at improving economic conditions for the more vulnerable sectors of society. From what people tell me here, year by year the overall economic situation has been improving since the end of the civil war. A few months ago I traveled to the Rasht valley to see some schools and villages damaged in the earthquake.
Amb. Jacobson: In Rasht, I was impressed by the dedication of the students and the teachers in continuing school lessons despite the difficult conditions. But clearly, we all still have a long way to go in ensuring the continued access by the most vulnerable to education and health care first of all.
Halima Isfara: Hello Ms. Jacobson! I am a teacher at school in Isfara town, and I can see that many young girls are very active especially in villages but they don’t believe that their parent will let them to study at high schools. Unfortunately, we are loosing good specialists for our country.
Amb. Jacobson: I agree that this is a problem. A country like Tajikistan which wants to develop quickly needs the efforts of its entire population — men as well as women. I share your concern about women not pursuing their educations, not only for the full development of the potential of each individual woman, but also for the country. I’ve also had discussions about this with senior government officials. The women themselves have the will to continue and succeed, but here, it is perhaps the parents that need education.
Halima Isfara: We are inviting you to come to our center in Isfara . And we shall be very happy to have talks with a person like you in our town.
Amb. Jacobson: Some of our cooperative education programs through USAID include building closer ties between communities, parents and schools so this kind of dialogue can take place. I hope that you will continue to encourage all your students, both boys and girls, to continue their educations. I would very much like to visit you in Isfara — I haven’t been there yet. Maybe on my next trip north. I’d like to meet your students and also see some of the beautiful carpentry in the teahouses for which Isfara is famous.
Halima Isfara: It will be very great if you come!
Amb. Jacobson: Hamila, I look forward to seeing you in Isfara.
Amb. Jacobson: Sorry, I meant Halima! I was typing too fast.
Halima Isfara: you know I didn’t notice the spelling till you said it!
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: You know, I really care about my country and about the bright future of the Tajik people. And I know that this is in the hands of my generation. But when I see that the most students, especially in my class don’t want to study, don’t want to get a full education, I still can’t find a way to help them to understand about the importance of the education. All that I’ve done did not give any results. And I want to ask you about any recommendations.
Amb. Jacobson: I think you have to find other like-minded students like yourself and combine forces with them to help motivate the others! Don’t lose heart — any worthy endeavor requires persistence. I am glad Tajikistan has great young patriots like you.
Amb. Jacobson: Bakhtiyor, don’t forget to enlist the support of lots of people here in Dushanbe that share your goals. I know you have tools at your school, and also here at Relief International. You can also meet other motivated English language speaking students at the American Corner in Dushanbe.
Halima Isfara: Can I ask: How long are you being in Tajikistan?
Amb. Jacobson: I hope to be in Tajikistan until summer 2009. I arrived September 1 2006, and usually Ambassadors are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 3 years.
Amb. Jacobson: I was in Turkmenistan for three years before I came here so you can tell I really like Central Asia!
Amb. Jacobson: Does anyone have a last question? I have to go pretty soon. I’d also like to remind you that here in Dushanbe we have an Information Resource Center at the embassy as well as an American Corner. We also have American Corners in Khujand and Kulyob, and we hope to open in Qurgan Teppe and Khorog.
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Yes, I do
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: What do you think will Tajikistan reach the full democracy, as in the US?
Amb. Jacobson: You know, we Americans have been working to develop our democracy for over 230 years, and we’re not done yet! I think every country has to work to improve its democracy, no matter how advanced it is. Tajikistan’s road to democracy will depend on the contributions, energy, and enthusiasm of smart young patriots like you, so I wish you the best of luck! Salomat Boshed!
Bakhtiyor Mansurov: Thanks for your answers. I was pleased to have a chat with such person like you. Thank you for your coming. And hope to see you again!