Source: https://president.tj/tajikistan/tajik_peacemaking_experience [1]

The people of Tajikistan, under the leadership of their compassionate and encouraging Leader, entered the world civilized community, restoring peace and harmony, and demonstrated the possibility of resolving internal conflicts within the framework of the law.

It was with the blessing of peace and reconciliation that the integrity of our dear Motherland was protected, it became possible to lead a peaceful life, ensure the security and unity of the people, hold large-scale national events aimed at promoting the unification of the idea, bolstering the sense of national pride and self-awareness of the people.

To achieve this great goal, the Head of State of the Tajiks, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, managed to unite the healthy forces of society, including political parties and movements, cultural structures and public associations.

The active participation and valuable contribution of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, observer countries such as the Russian Federation, the Islamic republics of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and other organizations and countries are based on peace process, pure thoughts and respectable heart of distinguished Emomali Rahmon, as well as on the foreign policy of "open doors" of the Republic of Tajikistan, which was subsequently elevated to the level of "multi-vector policy".

The peacemaking experience of the Tajiks is one of the greatest lessons of the Honorable Emomali Rahmon's school of politics and public administration, which is researched and studied both domestically and internationally. The experience of achieving peace between Tajiks is recognized by the world community as a unique example of peacemaking and resolving internal conflicts, and is used to prevent such conflicts in different parts of the world.

This historic experience of the return of almost a million refugees to their homeland and places of residence, organizing their social integration has been recognized by authoritative organizations, including the UN and the OSCE, as a unique model of peacemaking.

In particular, Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, who systematically and consciously observed the Tajik peace process for many years, after its successful completion, emphasized at one of the meetings of the UN Security Council: “The experience of the Tajik peace is worthy of careful study.” He had every reason to make such a statement, since the peace of Tajikistan is considered one of the successful UN peacekeeping operations. The political and military conflict in our country ended in peace and reconciliation in the shortest possible time - in three and a half years or in 1171 days. Meanwhile, other conflicts such as the Arab-Israeli, British-Irish, Pakistani-Indian, Afghan, etc. have been going on for years.

In our opinion, the main reason for the success of UN peacekeeping activities in Tajikistan was that the timely peacekeeping efforts of this authoritative international organization were in harmony with the national interests of Tajiks and countries interested in peace in Tajikistan. The continuation of armed resistance did not meet not only the interests of the Tajik warring parties, but also the geopolitical interests of the countries of the region.

Evidence that the conflicting sides of the Tajik trials were motivated by the need to protect national interests, peace and reconciliation is the fact that in the most important documents that were signed during the Inter-Tajik peace talks, one point was repeatedly emphasized that “the parties were determined to ensure compliance with the highest interests of the Tajik people and state, realizing the danger of a military-political confrontation and their great responsibility for the future of the Tajik people and state, they came to an agreement”.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, in a joint statement in Kabul on March 19, 1995, noted: “Considering the supreme interests of the Tajik people and our long-suffering country, we organized a meeting in order to achieve peace and harmony in Tajikistan, create favorable conditions for the real development and prosperity of the Motherland”.

The national interests of the Republic of Tajikistan on the eve and during the Inter-Tajik peace talks consisted, first of all, in protecting the integrity of Tajikistan, the territorial unity and statehood of the Tajiks. Since at that time, undoubtedly, there was a serious danger of the disappearance of the new independent state of Tajikistan, violation of its territorial integrity, division into separate regions and localities.

Fortunately, the opposing sides of the Tajiks, thanks to their inherited wisdom, realized in time that war is not a solution to their problems, the salvation of their nation and state lies in peace and reconciliation, mutual understanding and integrity.

We are proud that the Tajik culture of peace has become a model for the whole world and is recognized by the United Nations as a unique experience. History rarely remembers that the civil war ended in such a short time, and the opposing sides extended the hands of friendship and brotherhood to each other, united in the name of the inviolability of the Motherland, directed all their aspirations in the name of protecting borders and ancestral land, the security of the nation and national values, the normal functioning state apparatus.

That is why today and in the future all political forces and every reasonable person of beloved Tajikistan should cherish as the apple of their eye the achievements of peace, state independence and the foundations of the national statehood of Tajiks in order to ensure the development and prosperity of the Motherland of their ancestors and, as a token of gratitude, constantly strive for a peaceful and creative life of the people.

So far, articles, brochures, collections and books, reports and dissertations have been written, round tables, conferences have been organized inside and outside Tajikistan about the process of reaching peace and reconciliation, about the unique experience of the Tajik peace, about how and in what ways the Tajiks achieved peace, reconciliation and unity. The experience of the peace of Tajiks has repeatedly become the subject of scientific research.

At the initiative of a number of UN member states, regional and international organizations, several special projects were launched to study the peaceful experience of Tajiks and implementation of its achievements in Tajik society.

These projects have achieved tangible results, within the framework of which two or three valuable books were published in Tajik, Russian and English, which were well received by domestic and foreign experts and connoisseurs, and created a favorable theoretical and practical basis with a view to conveying to the Tajik society lessons and major achievements of the peace, are of great scientific and practical importance in this sense.

Today there is time and opportunity for a comprehensive study of the Tajik peace process and its lessons, while most of the direct witnesses and participants in those events and the process of national peace and reconciliation, which today are the main and only reliable source, are alive. Every year this opportunity will be lessening.

The problem is that with the exception of the official documents of the negotiations, published in separate collections and books, all related materials are in the hands of individuals.

In fact, there is no archive of the Joint Ceasefire Commission, nor the archive of the National Reconciliation Commission, nor the archive of the Inter-Tajik Peace Talks. All these scattered, but very important materials must be collected and studied. Otherwise, after the expiration of time, this page of our history will remain as indefinite as many of its other pages.

Peace, reconciliation and national unity will become stable and irreversible if they turn into a culture of peace in society.

This stage, which is referred to in modern science as “peacemaking or the creation of peace”, is no less significant than the stage of peacemaking, even much more.

Just as at the first stage, foreign friends extended a helping hand to the Republic of Tajikistan in the person of the UN and other regional and international organizations, at the second stage they took the initiative and devoted several special projects to studying the peaceful experience of Tajiks and implementing its achievements in Tajik society.

Within the framework of these projects, the participants focused on the most topical issues of the Tajik society, which were the subject of disputes and disagreements, as well as on their resolution, search for solutions, their true essence and reality.

These include issues of the relationship between religion and the state, the religious party and the democratic system, religious education and the secular education system, tolerance, newly formed religions and confessions, national security, religious extremism and ways to prevent it, measures to establish trust between secular people and religious fanatics or Islamists, law and religion.

The discussion of these issues continued and strengthened the dialogue between the society and official bodies in the center and localities, contributed to their solution and largely eliminated the foundations of contradictions and disagreements in society.

The peacemaking phase in Tajikistan also aroused interest from all sides and over time attracted the attention of representatives of the region and the European Union. Therefore, the study and promotion of Tajik peace practices, along with their peacemaking experience, is an important task for domestic and foreign scientists and experts to serve as a successful example for the countries of the region and the world.

At the initiative of the Head of State, the ruins were removed and huge structures were erected in a short period. A unity highway was built to connect all corners of the country, and tunnels, bridges and major highways, a series of hydroelectric power plants and large industrial enterprises were built for direct access to the ocean and establishing communication with distant and near countries.

Over the 31 years of state independence, Tajikistan undoubtedly has many achievements, but the most important and great of them is the establishment of peace and reconciliation. Moreover, most of the successes have been achieved thanks to peace and reconciliation.

The well-known Tajik economist and diplomat academician Talbak Nazarov, who played a significant role in the process of establishing peace and national accord, came to the conclusion in his research that the beginning of the economic recovery in the republic was observed precisely after the signing of the “General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan”.

The most important successes and achievements of the republic are the result of the selfless work of the Head of Tajikistan and the heroic initiatives of the Leader of the Nation, President of the country, Honorable Emomali Rahmon.

The reward for all these deeds is the universal recognition of the Distinguished Emomali Rahmon by the people of Tajikistan and thousands of compatriots living abroad.

In this regard, on December 11, 1999, at the XV session of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, the deputies with long applause adopted the Resolution of the Majlisi Oli on conferring the title of Hero of Tajikistan to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon.

The Resolution of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan dated December 11, 1999 No. 923 was signed on awarding the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, the highest title – Hero of Tajikistan, which, in particular, states: “For unique merits on the path of establishing peace and national accord, democratization of society, ensuring the territorial integrity, stability of the state and faithful service to the people, to award Emomali Rahmon, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the highest title – Hero of Tajikistan”.

The reward for all these efforts is, first of all, the great attention and respect of the world community, regularly rendered to the wise and powerful Head of Tajikistan, an accomplished politician, an exponent of the hopes and dreams of all mankind.

Signing of the “General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan” is of great international importance.

The international community has placed serious trust in the independent Republic of Tajikistan as a state that has chosen the path of building a democratic society and is unshakable in this determination, accepted it into its ranks and strengthened multilateral relations through international organizations and institutions.

The experience and lessons of inter-Tajik peace will help prevent conflicts, and if they arise, a solution should be found as soon as possible. The statements of the heads of many countries of the world and world-class political leaders once again confirm the merits of the Distinguished Emomali Rahmon in establishing peace in the Republic of Tajikistan.

The source of this world recognition can be found on the basis of knowledge of the essence and goals of the domestic and foreign policy of Honorable Emomali Rahmon, since all the achievements of the Tajik people during the period of independence, especially the experience of peace, are the fruit of this wise policy of the Head of State. The result of this policy, the achievement of peace and reconciliation, was that huge transformations and reforms took place in the country in all spheres of life, the prerequisites for national revival and renewal of the country were created.

Today, Tajikistan has taken a worthy place in the community of civilized countries, and the initiatives of the President are welcomed by small and large countries and international organizations. This policy, associated with the emergence of a new Leader in the history of the ancient nation, is considered an outstanding development and a general turn in the thinking and political culture of Tajiks at the beginning of the 21st century.

The establishment of national peace and accord, the celebration of the unity and integration of the Tajik people, which is one of the historical merits of the Distinguished Emomali Rahmon in the process of reviving the nation and national statehood, have significantly strengthened the efforts of Tajiks in building a democratic society.

With the guidance of Honorable Emomali Rahmon and with his blessed presence on the days of the National Unity holiday, the glorious Tajik people gather in one of the regions of the country, share joy and gratitude for unity. This good tradition has become a ritual of honoring the Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, who created a constant relationship and dialogue between the people and the state in the spirit of the best dreams and intentions.

One of the striking results of the era of independence, national peace, unity and virtue of the state administration of Honorable Emomali Rahmon is the creation of the Association of the Tajiks and the Persian-speaking of the world – “Paivand”, which is a unique phenomenon in the history of Tajiks and a reminder of the achievements of the great Somoni.

The President united the Tajiks of the world, who were scattered all over the world before independence, and with the creation of this association, he lit the light of communication between all Tajiks and the Persian-speaking countries of the world.

The initiatives and achievements of the Chairman of the “Paivand” Association, Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, who strengthened the unity of Tajiks around the world, were highly appreciated and noted by all Persian speakers.

In each of his words, the firm and unshakable determination of Honorable Emomali Rahmon in achieving the goals of courage, stability and perpetuating the state and statehood of the Tajiks was clearly felt.

In the congratulatory message of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Distinguished Emomali Rahmon, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of National Unity Day (June 26, 2022), it was noted: “Peace and tranquility are the most precious blessings of our life, their protection and preservation are considered the sacred duty of every citizen of Tajikistan.

Peace, tranquility and national unity are vital values for us, thanks to which the people of Tajikistan today work together and selflessly for the sake of the prosperity of the Motherland, the progress of the state, the implementation of strategic national goals and the well-being of every family.

The peaceful life of every family, the realization of the intentions and dreams of every citizen, the prosperity of the Motherland and the progress of the state are possible only if there is lasting peace and stability.

Also, observance of religious rites, which are an important part of the life of our Muslim people, can only be ensured in conditions of security, peace and political stability”.

It should be emphasized that at a new stage in the construction of the young state of Tajikistan, destiny endowed the ancient Tajik nation with a unique historical figure – the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, who embodied the highest qualities of his ancestors, such as human justice, nobility, courage, mercy and an unshakable ability to unite, and it was on the basis of this consistency that he brought society to a high level of self-knowledge.

It was thanks to the consistent efforts of the President of the country, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, that Tajikistan at the end of the twentieth century got rid of the national tragedy and strengthened its state independence, the Tajik nation, a thousand years later, on the path of reviving national statehood, has gained great historical achievements, and today is steadily moving towards a brighter future.

According to the participants and direct witnesses of the peace process, the experience of Tajikistan is a unique, unprecedented and important historical event, it is an instructive lesson for all peoples and states that want peace and tranquility and for the international community.

The lessons and morals in these cases are that you should rely only on yourself, your mind and wisdom, as well as on the available opportunities, to be self-sufficient, sovereign, independent, free and proud.

Our power, honor and reputation within the country and abroad are in our unity, integrity and solidarity of all our localities and regions, all peoples and nationalities living in Tajikistan, all political and social, religious and confessional forces.

Our common task is to explore, promote and encourage this successful and unique experience of our peace and inform the world about it, and thus prepare the ground in the region and the world for the use of this unique and successful experience.