Successful launch of the report “Voices from the Ground” in Dushanbe

On 30 September 2009, we had a great launch of the report “Voices from the Ground” in Dushanbe. The opening of the event was at 10 o’clock. From 40 invitees, 30 of them attended the event. We were disappointed that nobody came from the supportive embassies. However, all other attendants participated actively in the event. I personally did the first presentation, to introduce the report “Voices from the Ground”. The Tajikistan Mine Action Centre (TMAC) presented the cluster munitions and landmines situation in Tajikistan, as well as the Victim Assistance in Tajikistan. The Fondation Suisse de Déminage (FSD) spoke about the clearance of cluster munitions. Mr. Bakhtiyor Begmuradov, on behalf of the ICBL, presented the cluster munitions situation worldwide.

The presentations were followed by a five minute movie on cluster munitions, made by us in the framework of the previous grant awarded by The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. After watching the film, there was almost one hour discussion among the participants, about the victims of Tajikistan. At the end of the event, Bakhtiyor Begmurodov, Jonmahmad Rajabov, and I answered to questions.

Mass Media representatives also attended the event. Jonmahmad Rajabov (TMAC), Roziq Rahimov (FSD), and me as a Ban Advocate, we all gave several interviews on TV and radio. The interviews will be shown on Sunday evening.