Table of Contents

Country Reports

LM Report 2004

Tajikistan

Key developments since May 2003: On 31 March 2004, Tajikistan completed the destruction of its stockpile of 3,339 antipersonnel mines, retaining 225 for training purposes. The Tajik Mine Action Cell was formed in July 2003 as the executive arm of the Commission on Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, which is now the legal authority for mine action in Tajikistan. Tajikistan began general mine action assessments in its Central Region in 2003, and initiated mine clearance operations in June 2004. In December 2003, Tajikistan was again the only State Party to abstain from voting on the annual pro-Mine Ban Treaty UN General Assembly resolution. On 15-16 April 2004, the government hosted a Central Asia regional conference on the Mine Ban Treaty.

Key developments since 1999: Tajikistan acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 12 October 1999 and the treaty entered into force on 1 April 2000. Until September 2002, there were serious concerns about Tajikistan’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty and its failure to take steps to implement the treaty. Since that time, it has engaged extensively in the treaty processes and has striven to meet all of its obligations. It destroyed its stockpile of antipersonnel mines by the treaty-mandated deadline, has submitted required transparency reports, and has begun to clear mined areas. However, in 2002 and 2003, Tajikistan was the only State Party to abstain from voting on the UN General Assembly resolutions promoting the Mine Ban Treaty. During 1999-2001, Russian Border Forces laid antipersonnel mines inside Tajikistan along the Afghan border, and Uzbekistan laid antipersonnel mines on its border with Tajikistan, including some inside Tajik territory.

Mine Ban Policy

Tajikistan acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 12 October 1999 and the treaty entered into force on 1 April 2000. To implement the treaty domestically, Tajikistan states that Articles 195, 196, 198, and 199 of its 1998 Criminal Code impose penalties for activities related to trafficking in weapons and explosive material, including illegal acquisition, manufacture, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of explosive materials or devices. Penalties for violations range from three to twenty years of imprisonment.^[1] The ICRC has offered to provide guidance on the introduction of comprehensive legislation, but the government believes such legislation is unnecessary.^[2]

Tajikistan attended some early meetings of the Ottawa Process, including the regional conference held in Turkmenistan in June 1997, but did not participate in the Oslo negotiations. Until September 2002, there were serious concerns about Tajikistan’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty. Indeed, Landmine Monitor reported that as of mid-2002, based on statements made by the government, it was not clear that Tajikistan considered itself a State Party formally bound by the treaty. Tajikistan had failed to submit three transparency reports to the United Nations, as required by Article 7, had not reported any domestic legislative implementation measures for the treaty, as required by Article 9, and had not participated in any of the three annual meetings of States Parties, any of the intersessional Standing Committee meetings, or any of the other international and regional diplomatic landmine meetings in 2000 and 2001.

In September 2002, Tajikistan participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties. The Tajik delegation stated, “Our government is aware of the seriousness of prohibiting the use of antipersonnel mines, and attaches great importance to this problem,” and gave assurances that Tajikistan was aware of its obligations and intended to meet them.^[3]

In 2003, Tajikistan attended meetings of the treaty’s intersessional Standing Committees for the first time. It also participated in the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in September 2003, and the intersessional meetings in February and June 2004.

Regionally, Tajikistan became very active in 2003 and 2004. On 15-16 April 2004, the government hosted a Central Asia conference “Progress Towards the Ottawa Convention’s Aims in Central Asia” that was intended as a regional precursor to the Nairobi Summit to be held in November 2004. Representatives from 18 countries, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ICBL, and other NGOs attended; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan was the principal guest.^[4] Tajikistan’s Vice Premier, Saidamir Zukhurov, told the conference that, “We must identify challenges remaining in Central Asia and actions necessary for the Ottawa Convention to be able to deliver on its promise to stop suffering brought by antipersonnel mines, as well as urge non-member countries to join in.”^[5] On 23 July 2004, representatives from the Red Crescent Societies of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan held a roundtable to discuss pre-empting conflicts and how they might work together on issues such as landmines.^[6] On 5 November 2003, Tajikistan attended a regional seminar on landmines held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.^[7]

Tajikistan submitted its first Article 7 report on 3 February 2003, covering calendar year 2002. The report had been due on 28 September 2000. It submitted its second Article 7 transparency report on 4 February 2004, covering calendar year 2003.

Tajikistan has had a checkered record with respect to annual pro-ban United Nations General Assembly resolutions. It voted in favor in 1996, abstained in 1997 and 1998, voted in favor in 1999, and was absent in 2000 and 2001. In 2002 and 2003, Tajikistan was the only State Party to abstain from voting on the annual resolution, which promotes universalization and effective implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. In 2002, it explained that this was an error, but the reasons behind the abstention in 2003 are not known.^[8]

Tajikistan acceded to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Amended Protocol II on landmines in October 1999. It did not participate in the Fifth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in 2003 and has not submitted annual national reports as required under Article 13.

Production and Transfer

Tajikistan reports that it has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.^[9] The 1996 Law on Armaments expressly regulates all issues related to the registration, shipment, transport, acquisition, transfer, and storage of armaments and munitions on the territory of the Tajikistan.^[10]

The country’s 1992-1997 civil war brought an influx of weapons, including mines, that were dispersed among, and used by, the general population. Periodic media reports detail the seizure or discovery of hidden depots of firearms, explosives, and munitions by Tajik forces. Between 1996 and 2003, over 20 weapons caches were discovered.^[11] Several contained small quantities of antipersonnel mines.^[12] In October 2003, police recovered weapons, including two antipersonnel mines, from an arms cache in Tavildara district.^[13] A large stockpile of ammunition was discovered in the Kalai-Khubsky border area in November 2003 that included several dozens of antipersonnel mines. Russian border guards based in Tajikistan destroyed the weapons.^[14] On 29 July 2004, Russian border guards based in Tajikistan discovered a large ammunition cache along the Tajik-Afghan border, containing antipersonnel mines and other types of explosives.^[15]

Use

Both the government and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) laid mines during the civil war. The Tajik government primarily used Soviet PMN, PMN-2, PMD-6 and OZM antipersonnel mines, while the UTO used a mixture of antipersonnel and antivehicle mines (Italian TC-6, Pakistan P2Mk2 and Soviet TMN series).^[16]

Several CIS countries sent peacekeeping forces to Tajikistan, and Russian Border Forces in Tajikistan laid antipersonnel mines along the Tajik-Afghan border, including as recently as 2000.^[17] Tajik officials have stated that their Armed Forces would refuse orders by Russia to lay mines and said that Tajik forces are under separate command and control structures.^[18]

Uzbek forces laid mines on the border in 2000 and 2001, to prevent rebel incursions, and the Tajik government protested that some mines were laid inside Tajik territory. ^[19]

Stockpiling and Destruction

In February 2003, Tajikistan reported a stockpile of 3,339 antipersonnel mines of the following types: POMZ-2M (1,691), PMN (683), OZM-72 (486), MON-100 (474), and MON-200 (five), all inherited from the Soviet Union, and provided details on the lot numbers, production locations, and manufacturing dates of the mines.^[20]

Tajikistan completed the destruction of its stockpile on 31 March 2004, the day before its treaty-mandated deadline of 1 April 2004, in an event attended by the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Foreign Minister, UN, diplomatic and NGO representatives, and the media.^[21] The stockpile destruction began in August 2002, when Tajikistan’s Army Engineer Battalion destroyed 55 antipersonnel mines and 688 “other explosive devices,” but the program was then delayed for almost a year due to lack of funds. On 29 July 2003, Tajikistan resumed operations, destroying 268 antipersonnel mines, as well as approximately 132 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Further destructions took place in February 2004. Funding for destruction was provided by Canada and the Netherlands via NATO’s Partnership for Peace Trust Fund. The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) provided technical and logistical support.^[22]

Tajikistan retained 255 antipersonnel mines, as permitted under Article 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty. It intends to use these for training purposes, in the absence of inert drill mines, through 2010, when the shelf-life of the mines expires.^[23]

Tajikistan is the first State Party to report details on antipersonnel mines stockpiled by a non-State Party on its territory. It reported that approximately 18,200 antipersonnel mines of various types are held by Russian Ministry of Defense units deployed in Tajikistan.^[24] These stockpiles are not under the jurisdiction or control of Tajikistan.^[25] In February 2003, Tajikistan reported that intergovernmental talks were underway to clarify and complete data collection regarding these Russian mines.^[26] Minefield records will be handed over to the Tajik Border Force as responsibility for security of the Tajik-Afghan border is progressively transferred from the Russian Border Force during 2004 – 2006.^[27]

Mine Action Coordination and Funding

During 2003, the Tajik government appointed its Commission on Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (CIIHL) as the legal authority for mine action in Tajikistan.^[28] The Commission’s Chairman is Vice Premier Zuhurov and its Vice Chairman is the Minister for Justice. On 20 June 2003, Tajikistan signed a mine action support agreement with the UNDP, under which the UNDP provided technical advice and funds to train staff and equip a mine action cell. The Tajik Mine Action Cellis the executive arm of the CIIHL and was opened on 23 July 2003. Via UNDP, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) provided US$250,000 for the set up and first ten month’s operations of the TMAC.^[29] The TMAC is responsible for the planning and coordination of all mine action activities in Tajikistan including assessment, technical survey, marking and clearance of mined areas together with mine risk education and elements of victim assistance.^[30]

On 20 June 2003, the government signed an agreement with the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action under which FSD would equip, train and operationally supervise personnel provided by the Tajik Army Engineer Battalion as survey and manual mine clearance teams, to be deployed on tasks designated by the TMAC.^[31]

During 2003, FSD has received financial support from the OSCE (€200,000), Canada (€100,000), the Geneva Canton (€170,000), and the Swiss Private Foundation “Karl Hopper” (€60,000).^[32] During 2004, it received contributions from OSCE (€360,000), Belgium (€30,000), Norway (€100,000), Sweden (€50,000), Canada (C$1 million), and Japan (US$250,000).^[33] These funds have been used to continue the operations of the original two survey teams and to raise a third, together with two manual clearance teams. Under an agreement with UNDP, the government of France has, since March 2004, provided two military instructors to assist FSD with the training and supervision of the survey and clearance teams.^[34]

In November 2003, the first meeting of a Donors’ Consultative Committee was held under the joint chairmanship of the UNDP and the OSCE.^[35] The function of the Committee is to “reflect the will of the International Community to assist the people of Tajikistan to achieve a Nation safe from the threat of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, and shall also serve as a forum to monitor the efficient and effective use of funds and resources provided by donor agencies and/or governments.”^[36]

Landmine Problem, Survey, and Assessment

In 2002, the Tajik Ministry of Defence estimated that 16,000 mines, demolition charges, and explosive devices remained deployed in Tajikistan, in approximately 2,500 square kilometers of agricultural land and some 700 kilometers of roads and paths.^[37] Following general mine action assessments (GMAAs) undertaken during 2003 and 2004, the total area estimated to be mine contaminated is likely to be substantially reduced. All mines so far identified in the Central Region and Gorno Badakshan are unmarked, as are those along the Uzbek and Afghan borders. Records of some minefields laid by government forces during the civil war exist, as do records of mines laid by Russian forces along the border with Afghanistan. However, heavy snowfalls, avalanches, rock and mud slides make location of those mined areas very difficult.^[38]

The minefields from the civil war are concentrated in the Central Region and in the western part of Gorno Badakshan.^[39] Mines laid by Uzbekistan in 2000-2001 affect Tajik territory in its northern Sugd region. Mines laid by Russian Border Forces along the border with Afghanistan affect less people as the population is sparse. It is unclear if Tajik territory along the country’s remote border with Kyrgyzstan is mined. Kyrgyzstan used landmines in 1999 and 2000 to prevent infiltration across these areas, but maintains that these areas have been demined. It is anticipated that in December 2004 and January 2005, the Tajikistan Mine Action Cell will publish a report on mine contamination when the results of the general mine action assessments and clearance operations, undertaken since August 2003, have been analyzed. ^[40]

In its February 2004 Article 7 report, Tajikistan included information on several previously unreported minefields. Surveys conducted in the territory near Tajikistan’s Afghan border (Tavildara, Rushan, Tajikabad, Vakhsh, and Darvoz regions) revealed the locations of these minefields. The report also indicated that unexploded ordnance is present in four minefields in the Tavildara and Rasht regions, and several more regions in Tavildara are now suspected to be mined. Surveys have also revealed that clusters of mines may be present in minefields in Tajikabad.^[41]

The government of Tajikistan notes that further collection of information about minefields in the territory on the Uzbek border (Kanibadam, Isfara and Asht) requires the cooperation of the government of Uzbekistan. The mined areas of Asht, especially, are neither marked nor fenced off. Several areas in the Dzhirgatol region are now suspected to be mined.^[42]

In 2003, Tajikistan engaged in talks with Russia to obtain technical records and logs of minefields emplaced by Russian Border Forces.^[43] In a statement read at a 3 April 2003 meeting in Dushanbe, Russian Foreign Ministry officials promised to cooperate and assist with the clearance of mines in areas of Tajikistan under their control.^[44] Since then, Russian logbooks for four minefields in the Rushan region have gradually been being provided to Tajikistan.^[45] Clearance of two economically important sites along the Afghan border occurred during 2004 with the full cooperation of the Russian Border Force which provided minefield records.^[46]

In August and September 2003, twenty members of the Tajik Army Engineering Battalion were trained by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action for deployment in two survey teams to undertake general mine action assessments.^[47] The teams began their work at sites specified by the TMAC in the priority sites of Rasht and Tavildra Valleys in the central region.^[48] Volunteers from the Red Crescent Society also assisted the survey teams.^[49] Until bad weather caused work to stop in December 2003, the two survey teams, supervised by the FSD, conducted a survey of mined areas in Tavildara, Rasht, Tajikabad, Jirghatal, Darvaz (Saghirdasht zone), Nurabad, and Roghun districts and in several settlements near the city of Vahdat. The surveys recorded 14 mined areas in the Rasht and Tavildara valleys and another 21 mined areas identified in Gorno Badakshan, in the districts of Darvoz, Rushon and Vanj.^[50]

The TMAC is equipped with the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) and an operator has been fully trained in its use. Technical advice has been provided by visiting specialists from the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). ^[51]

Mine Clearance

Mine clearance began in June 2004 in the Rasht Valley and Tavildara districts of the Central Region, after the retraining of the two survey teams (10 men each), completion of training of two manual clearance teams (27 men each), and the creation of a third survey team.^[52]

On the Afghan border near Khomsangir, an area adjacent to a main water pipe is being cleared to permit replacement of the pipe. Once replacement has been completed, the water will be available year round instead of just six months.^[53]

At a meeting of the OSCE on 11 June 2004, the Uzbek Defence Minister announced that his country was ready to consider the issue of demining its borders with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and to look into alternative concepts for border security. At a meeting with OSCE officials on 5 July, the Uzbek Deputy Defence Minister confirmed that Uzbekistan was considering demining its borders, but only if the international community provided demining assistance as well as alternative means of securing its borders.^[54]

Mine Risk Education (MRE)

Community-based mine risk education activities began after an International Committee of the Red Cross-led needs assessment in July 2001. The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan and the ICRC, in coordination with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, expanded their MRE in 2003 and early 2004 to reach 13 regions in Tajikistan.^[55] Activities included MRE training of community volunteers and teachers, as well as involving children through art competitions and theater. MRE posters and pamphlets have been produced in Russian, Tajik and Uzbek languages.^[56] In June 2003, the ICRC reported that 10,000 people had received MRE presentations in two years, of which 60 percent were children.^[57]

In 2003, the program focused in the recently-mined border areas in Sogd province and Tursun Zade district, as well as in Rasht Valley.^[58] According to the ICRC, inhabitants of those regions attribute a decline in casualties to improved awareness of mine risks.^[59] The representative of Tajikistan at the June 2004 intersessional Standing Committee meetings cautioned, however, that people in border areas—particularly children—still suffer greatly from antipersonnel mines. He said Tajikistan was working with the UNDP to obtain funding to place warning signs in the dangerous areas.^[60]

Landmine Casualties

In 2003, landmines along the Uzbek border killed at least six people and injured at least four others. In September, two people were killed in the Tursunzadae area, including a 17-year-old.^[61] In early November, a mine exploded in Sogd region, near the Uzbek border killing a teenager and injuring four others while they were tending cattle. The father of the dead boy was also killed by a landmine when he came to his son’s aid.^[62] On 24 December, a man and a woman were killed by a landmine while collecting firewood on the Tajik-Uzbek border.^[63]

Landmine Monitor identified at least six people killed and three injured in 2002, and at least fifteen killed and fourteen injured in 2001, in reported landmine incidents.^[64] The majority of landmine casualties are believed to be civilians who are killed or injured while tending livestock, farming, hunting, collecting firewood, or trying to cross the border to trade or visit families.^[65]

Casualties continue to be reported in 2004. In March, three boys aged 11 to 14 were killed, and one boy injured, by an antipersonnel mine as they grazed cattle in the Isfara district of Sogd region, near the Uzbek border. In a separate incident, a 10-year-old boy was killed in another mine explosion in Kanibadam district of Sogd region.^[66] Also in March, an Uzbek paratrooper was injured when he accidentally landed in a minefield on the Tajik side of the border.^[67]

The TMAC started gathering data on mine casualties in 2003. While it is unable to provide precise statistics on casualties in the Central Region, it has collected them for the Sugd Region. According to TMAC, as of 12 September 2004, 69 people were killed and 64 injured in the border communities. In addition, considerable livestock losses have been reported. The TMAC estimates that 19 people were killed and 12 injured in the southern Khatlon region; 14 killed and six injured in the eastern region of Tajikistan; and 63 killed and 72 injured in the central region.^[68] It is not known how many people were killed or injured by landmines during the 1993-1997 civil war. Landmine Monitor did not identify any reports of mine casualties along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

Survivor Assistance

Tajikistan has historically been one of the poorest republics in Central Asia. The healthcare system has few resources, with run-down facilities, equipment in poor condition, and medicine and materials in short supply. The Ministry of Health in the northern Sugd region has trained local communities in first aid management for mine injuries, and provided first aid kits to rural medical facilities. Transport to medical facilities is reportedly available to mine casualties. The facilities and skills to treat mine casualties in Tajikistan, including in surgical amputation, are also reported to be adequate. Healthcare is supposed to be free-of-charge, but patients are frequently asked to pay for drugs and medicine, as there is a shortage of supplies.^[69] However, there is reportedly no capacity, or any dedicated programs, to assist mine survivors in Tajikistan.^[70]

The Teaching Hospital of the Research Institute for Disability Assessment and Rehabilitation provides physical rehabilitation and medical care. In 2002, the budget for these activities was 42,000 Somoni (approximately $14,000).^[71]

Between 1999 and 2001, the ICRC provided surgical and medical supplies to two hospitals and up to six healthcare centers for the treatment of landmine and other war-related injuries. However, in early 2002 the ICRC discontinued supplying surgical materials due to a reduction in demand. In 2001, ICRC-supported hospitals treated 35 mine casualties.^[72]

The ICRC renovated and reopened the Dushanbe Orthopedic Center in March 1999 after it was closed for several years due to a lack of resources. The center is run jointly by the ICRC and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP), and is the only center producing prostheses in Tajikistan. The Canadian Red Cross managed the center until mid-2003 before handing over responsibility to the ICRC. The government of Tajikistan is taking over more of the costs of running the center in accordance with the ICRC exit strategy. The Tajikistan Red Crescent Society coordinates an outreach program which provides transport to the center, accommodation during treatment, and follow-up for amputees from remote areas.^[73] The MLSP also runs satellite orthopedic centers in Khujand (in the north), Kulob (in the center), and Khorog (in the south-east). Since 1999, the center has provided physical rehabilitation services and produced 1,653 prostheses, including 180 for mine survivors: 306 (28 for mine survivors) in 2003; 306 (29 for mine survivors) in 2002; 444 (53 for mine survivors) in 2001; 397 (38 for mine survivors) in 2000; 200 (32 for mine survivors) in 1999. In addition, 1,136 pairs of crutches and 98 wheelchairs were distributed, including 198 pairs of crutches and ten wheelchairs in 2003. Prosthetic technicians have also received on-going training.^[74]

In 2002, the Center for Training and Reintegration of Former Military Personnel was established to promote economic reintegration of ex-combatants, including mine survivors. Occupational rehabilitation of other persons with disabilities is carried out in a special residential school in Dushanbe.^[75]

Tajikistan submitted the voluntary Form J attachment to its Article 7 Reports for 2003 and 2004, with information on victim assistance matters.^[76]

Disability Policy and Practice

In 1998, Tajikistan enacted the Law of Social Protection Reform, which entitles mine survivors and other persons with disabilities to medical care and physical rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration. The 1994 Law on Military Pensions protects the rights of former military personnel who are mine survivors. The 1993 Law on Pension Support governs the provision of pensions for persons with disabilities. The 1991 Law on Social Protection of Disabled Persons also protects the rights of persons with disabilities.^[77]

Mine survivors are eligible for a disability pension, as are other people with disabilities who are unable to work. There are three different levels of pensions, depending on the extent and nature of the disability.^[78]

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[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 3 February 2003.
[2] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, Tajik Mine Action Cell, 15 September 2004.
[3] Statement by Tajikistan, Fourth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 16-20 September 2002; discussions with ICBL and State Party delegations.
[4] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[5] “International Conference on Antipersonnel Mines Gets Underway in Tajikistan,” RIA Novosty (Dushanbe), 15 April 2004.
[6] “Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik Red Crescent groups discuss boosting cooperation,” FERGANA (Batken), 23 July 2004.
[7] “International conference on landmines starts in Kyrgyzstan on 5 November,” Itar-Tass (Kyrgyzstan), 5 November 2003; “Issues of use of antipersonnel mines to be discussed in Bishkek,” Asia-Plus (Tajikistan), 5 November 2003.
[8] Meeting with Tajik delegation to the intersessional Standing Committee meetings, Geneva, 5 February 2003.
[9] Article 7 Report, Forms E and H, 3 February 2003.
[10] Ibid., Form A.
[11] “Arms Cache Found on Tajik-Uzbek Border,” Itar-Tass (Dushanbe), 4 May 2003.
[12] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[13] “Law enforcement agencies in Kulob recollect illegally possessed weapons from population,” Asia-Plus (Tajikistan), 12 November 2003.
[14] “Major cache with ammunition destroyed on Tajik-Afghan border,” Itar-Tass (Dushanbe), 11 November 2003.
[15] “Russian troops find large arms cache on Tajik-Afghan border,” Asia-Plus (Dushanbe), 29 July 2004.
[16] Standard landmine databases, such as Jane’s and ORDATA identify these mines.
[17] Article 7 Report, Form C, 3 February 2003. An official told Landmine Monitor that last time Tajik authorities were formally informed by Russian authorities of mine use by Russian forces in Tajikistan was in late 2001. Interview with Johnmahmad Rajabov, Deputy Head of the Board of the Constitutional Guarantees of Citizens Rights, Executive Board of the President, Geneva, 5 February 2003.
[18] Interview with Johnmahmad Rajabov, Executive Board of the President, Geneva, 13 May 2003.
[19] “One killed, two injured in landmine blast on Tajik-Uzbek border,” Agence France-Presse (Dushanbe), 8 January 2001.
[20] MON-100 produced in 1969 at USSR Factory 2516; POMZ-2M produced in 1971 at USSR Factory M; PMN were produced in 1976 at USSR Factory 15; OZM-72 produced in 1985 at USSR Factory 912. Article 7 Report, Form B, 3 February 2003.
[21] Email from Peter Isaacs, UNDP, 31 March 2004; Letter from the Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United Nations, New York, 1 April 2004.
[22] US State Department, “Tajikistan Destroys Remaining Anti-personnel Landmines – NATO and United Nations provide support for project,” 1 April 2004.
[23] The number and types of mines retained are POMZ-2M (100), PMN (50), OZM-72 (50), MON-100 (50), MON-200 (5). Article 7 Report, Form C, 3 February 2003.
[24] Article 7 Report, Form B, 3 February 2003.
[25] Interview with Johnmahmad Rajabov, Executive Board of the President, 5 February 2003.
[26] Article 7 Report, Form B, 3 February 2003.
[27] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[28] Mine Action Support Group Newsletter, February 2004.
[29] Ibid; “British government finances Tajik mine clearing project,” Asia-Plus (Dushanbe), 11 July 2003.
[30] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15-19 September 2003, unofficial translation by Landmine Monitor Researcher, 13 January 2004.
[33] Ibid.
[34] “Ambassadors sign agreements worth 790,000 euros for OSCE's mine action in Tajikistan,” OSCE News, Dushanbe, 25 May 2004, available at http://www.osce.org/news/show_news.html?id=4100 (accessed 10 August 2004); Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, intersessional Standing Committee meeting, Geneva, 21 June 2004; Information provided to Landmine Monitor by Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor to the TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[35] Mine Action Support Group Newsletter, February 2004.
[36] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[37] Article 7 Report, “General Situation,” 3 February 2003.
[38] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004; “Tajik-Uzbek border mine problem ‘alarming’ – clearance specialist,” BBC Monitoring Central Asia (Dushanbe), 11 September 2003; “Mines make childhood dangerous pastime in Tajikistan,” Agence France-Presse (Dushanbe), 24 April 2004.
[39] Information provided to Landmine Monitor by Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor to the TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[40] Ibid; Statement by Talant Kushchubekov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 12 February 2004.
[41] Article 7 Report, Form C, 4 February 2004.
[42] Ibid.
[43] Article 7 Report, Form C, 3 February 2003.
[44] Interview with Johnmahmad Rajabov, Executive Board of the President, 13 May 2003.
[45] Article 7 Report, Form C, 4 February 2004.
[46] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[47] Mine Action Support Group Newsletter, February 2004.
[48] Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, 15-19 September 2003, unofficial translation by Landmine Monitor Researcher, 13 January 2004.
[49] Mine Action Support Group Newsletter, February 2004.
[50] Email from Ian Clarke, Director of Operations, Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, 6 October 2004.
[51] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[52] Ibid.
[53] Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, intersessional Standing Committee meeting, Geneva, 21 June 2004; Information provided to Landmine Monitor by Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor to the TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[54] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[55] Mine Action Support Group Newsletter, February 2004; Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, intersessional Standing Committee meeting, Geneva, 21 June 2004.
[56] Article 7 Report, Form I, 3 February 2003.
[57] ICRC, “Annual Report 2002,” Geneva, June 2003, p. 195.
[58] ICRC, “Annual Report 2003: Regional delegation in Tashkent,” 28 June 2004.
[59] Ibid.
[60] Statement by the delegate to the Republic of Tajikistan, intersessional Standing Committee meeting, Geneva, 21 June 2004.
[61] “Two people died from explosion of mines on Tajik-Uzbek border,” KCHR (Tajikistan), 9 September 2003.
[62] “Two Tajiks killed, four injured by landmines while tending cattle near Uzbek border,” Associated Press (Dushanbe), 7 November 2003.
[63] “Two Tajiks killed in land-mine explosion,” Xinhua (Alma-Ata), 27 December 2003; “Two Tajiks killed by mine near Uzbek border,” Associated Press (Dushanbe), 26 December 2003.
[64] Landmine Monitor analysis of six media reports between January and December 2002, and ten media reports between January and December 2001.
[65] “Tajikistan: Mine awareness still needed,” IRIN, 15 July 2002.
[66] “Four Tajik Children Killed by Mines,” Interfax Central Asia News (Dushanbe), 27 March 2004; “Uzbek land mine kills three Tajik teenagers,” AP Newswires (Dushanbe), 30 March 2004.
[67] “23 Uzbek paratroopers land in Tajikistan; one wounded by landmines,” Associated Press (Dushanbe), 25 March 2004.
[68] Email from Peter Isaccs, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor, TMAC, 15 September 2004.
[69] GICHD, “Mine Awareness and Advocacy Mission to Central Asia, A Report for UNICEF,”12 September 2001, pp. 22-23.
[70] Interview with Johnmahmad Rajabov, Executive Board of the President, 5 February 2003.
[71] Article 7 Report, Form J, 3 February 2003. The Somoni replaced the Tajikistan ruble on 1 January 2001, but is not a traded currency and is not listed with most major currency exchange bureaus. It was listed at 3.081 to the US dollar as of 29 May 2003.
[72] ICRC Special Report, “Mine Action 2002,” Geneva, July 2003, p. 34; “Mine Action 2001,” July 2002, p. 26; “Mine Action 2000,” July 2001, p. 24; “Mine Action 1999,” August 2000, p. 29.
[73] ICRC, “Annual Report 2003,” Geneva, June 2004, p. 176.
[74] ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programmes, “Annual Report 2003,” 9 March 2004, p. 26; “Annual Report 2001,” 14 April 2002; “Annual Report 2000,” 31 March 2001; “Annual Report 1999,” 31 March 2000, p. 11; and ICRC Mission, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, “Orthopedic Project, Annual Report 2002,” Submitted by Markus Saufferer, Canadian Red Cross Orthopedic Project Manager, February 2003, report provided to Landmine Monitor (MAC) by Leah Feuer, Project Officer, Europe and Central Asia, Canadian Red Cross, 24 March 2003.
[75] Article 7 Report, Form J, 3 February 2003.
[76] Ibid., Article 7 Report, Form J, 4 February 2004.
[77] Details on legislation protecting the rights of the disabled including mine survivors are provided in Tajikistan’s Article 7 Report, Form J, 3 February 2003.
[78] GICHD, “Mine Awareness and Advocacy Mission to Central Asia, A Report for UNICEF,” 12 September 2001, pp. 22-23.