EU and OHCHR hold joint Central Asian regional meeting with CSOs on Human Rights Day

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the European Union together with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) conducted a regional Central Asian meeting with the civil society organizations. The EU Delegation to Turkmenistan and the local OHCHR Office gathered together local public associations, including Yenme, Keyik Okara and the Centre for Support of People with Disabilities.

Talking about the occasion, First Counsellor, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, Ms. Renata Wrobel stated “While a lot of progress has been made during human history, there is a lot of room for improvement in the area of human rights. Thankfully, many instruments, actions and institutions are at our disposal to help improve and protect human rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the treaties of the European Union, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention of Human Rights and the Constitution of Turkmenistan. Importantly, we can only succeed if we work together: governments, civil society, private sector, international organisations, UN and its agencies, and the European Union.”

As noted in the declaration of the EU HRVP human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the heart of the EU’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in human rights, democracy, the rule of law and enabling civic space is essential to achieving and rebuilding better societies for present and future generations. No one should be left behind, no human right ignored. The EU recalls that any restrictions to human rights in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic must be strictly necessary, proportionate, temporary in nature and non-discriminatory.

Human rights are an important aspect of the bilateral relations between the EU and Turkmenistan. Since the launch of bilateral Human Rights Dialogues in 2008, the EU has held such meetings with the Turkmen authorities on a yearly basis, allowing for constructive and open discussions on a number of issues related to human rights and democratization, including: prison conditions; torture and enforced disappearances; judicial reforms and the rule of law; freedom of association, expression and belief; and the role of an independent Ombudsperson’s office.

Around the globe, the EU further expanded concrete support to civil society organisations and human rights defenders to advance human rights and democracy worldwide through a specific thematic programme, amounting to over €1.5 billion for the period 2021-2027, reaffirming its role as world leader in this field.

Achieving human rights is not only an imperative of human dignity; it is a cornerstone of democracy, peace and security, and sustainable development