ODIHR supports stronger national human rights institutions in Central Asia

The importance of establishing strong and independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in Central Asia was the focus of a workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 12 October.

The two-day workshop, which gathered more than 50 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, including Ombudspersons, parliamentarians, government officials, diplomats and representatives of civil society, emphasized the role of NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights, including in the prevention of torture.

“This event gives us the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other on how best to fulfil our mandate to promote and protect human rights,” said Zarif Alizoda, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Tajikistan, whose office is hosting the event.

“We are encouraged to see that NHRIs in Central Asia are ready to discuss such important topics as the prevention of torture and enhanced co-operation with civil society,” said Assia Ivantcheva, the Deputy Head of ODIHR’s Human Rights Department.

OHCHR’s Gianni Magazzeni said he hoped that  the Central Asian national human rights institutions will enhance their degree of compliance with the internationally recognized principles.

The workshop is part of ODIHR’s programme of supporting NHRIs.