OSCE organizes lectures on human rights in criminal justice in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, 30 September 2011 – A series of lectures on international human rights standards and their applicability in the administration of criminal justice organized by the OSCE for 30 students of the S.A Niyazov Institute under the Interior Ministry concludes in Ashgabat tomorrow.

During the six days the students learned about international standards and national models of criminal justice, organization of court hearings and review of judicial decisions. They also had an opportunity to discuss human rights related to the administration of human rights in criminal justice, including the right to liberty, legal protection and access to justice.

“Support to education is high on the OSCE agenda, and we are very pleased to launch this course today.  It represents another good example of deepening co-operation between the OSCE and Turkmenistan’s education institutions”, said Ambassador Sergei Belyaev, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Implementation of international standards in criminal justice is essential for  the justice system in any country and is in line with the principles declared in  Turkmenistan’s Constitution, namely to respect universally recognized principles and international law standards which should have priority over the national legislation”, said Professor Aleksandr Smirnov, a Counselor of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation who delivered the course of lectures.

This series of lectures is organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in co-operation with the Interior Ministry and the Institute.