Human rights in criminal justice the focus of OSCE lectures at Turkmen State University

ASHGABAT, 26 November 2011 - Some 40 students of the Law Faculty at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University discussed international human rights standards in the administration of criminal justice during an OSCE-organized series of lectures that concluded in Ashgabat today.

The six-day course addressed a wide range of topics, including international law principles of fair criminal procedure, international standards and national models of criminal procedure, personal inviolability and conditions for its limitation. Special emphasis was placed on human rights in criminal procedure, including the right to defence, rights and rules of evidence in criminal cases and human rights during court hearings.

“Investing in the education of future legal practitioners is crucial for the further development of any state based on the rule of law. The Centre is pleased to continue co-operation with the Law Faculty in sharing international expertise in the area of human rights standards and facilitating contacts between Turkmenistan students and experts from other OSCE participating States,” said Ambassador Belyaev, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“We hope this course will be useful for students who may pursue a career in legal practice, public service or any other field requiring solid knowledge of different aspects of the administration of criminal justice.”

Leonid Golovko, a Professor at the Law Faculty of the Moscow State University, who led the lecture series, added: “The students demonstrated understanding of key trends in modern legal reforms and true interest in the issue of protecting human rights in the administration of criminal justice. This is extremely important for the rising generation of lawyers in Turkmenistan who are expected to be conversant in universal legal values and capable of ensuring the proper implementation of the Criminal Procedure Code.”

The series of lectures was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in co-operation with the Law Faculty of the Magtymguly Turkmen State University.

The Centre also provided the Faculty with a set of publications related to criminal justice.