OSCE supports public discussions of Governmental Counter-Torture Action Plan in Kyrgyzstan

A public discussion on the Draft Governmental Anti-Torture Action Plan was held in Bishkek on 23 May 2014 within the framework of the OSCE-supported multilateral Memorandum of Co-operation on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek co-organized the event with the Co-ordination Council on Human Rights under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Justice Ministry, National Centre on Torture Prevention, the Soros Foundation and the international NGO Physicians for Human Rights. 

Representatives from state institutions, civil society, international organizations, journalists and experts participated in the discussion.

“Today’s public discussions focussed on reinforcing the Kyrgyzstan’s Action Plan against torture and developing a comprehensive strategy to tackle this serious problem. The OSCE Centre in Bishkek will continue supporting Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to eradicate torture,” said Fabio Piana, Senior Human Dimension Officer, OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

An inter-agency working group led by the Prosecutor General Office and representatives of human rights NGOs elaborated a first version of the Action Plan in 2012.