OSCE Centre organizes international human rights law course in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAD, 12 October 2007 - Students at Turkmenistan's Magtymguly State University learned about international human rights law in a two-week course supported by the OSCE Centre that ended today in Ashgabad.

Organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad in co-operation with Turkmenistan's Education Ministry and the UK Embassy in Ashgabad, the course brought together 45 second and third-year students from the university departments of international law, international relations and diplomacy.

"These courses represent a contribution to Turkmenistan's reform process with respect to education and compliance with international human rights commitments," said Ambassador Ibrahim Djikic, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad. "We hope they not only stimulate the students' interest, but also serve as a model for future curriculum development."

"Teaching human rights law is fundamental to any country abiding by the rule of law", said Anatoly Azarov, a professor from the Russian Federation who delivered the course. "It is particularly important that the course is delivered at the university, as the institution's mandate is to train future professionals who will be in charge of ensuring that their country complies with its international commitments."

The course focused on the fundamentals of international and human rights law, and covered both United Nations and national mechanisms for human rights protection. In addition, students and professors learned from case studies, group discussions and video materials.

The programme was the first of its kind organized by the OSCE at the university, and the Centre is planning to expand and repeat the course in 2008.