Ashgabat, 21-22 July 2022: UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan conducted the two-day workshop – Discussion of the Preliminary Analysis of the National Legislation for Compliance with the Provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), in UN Building.

The workshop gathered all members of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission on the implementation of international obligations of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law (Interdepartmental Commission). The workshop was delivered by the international expert Mr. Thomas Baranovas.

“The Preliminary Analysis of the legislation of Turkmenistan revealed that the legislation of the country in general complies with the norms of the ICESCR. The participants of the workshop provided extensive additional information and discussed a number of recommendations for improving the legislation.”– said Thomas Baranovas, UNDP international expert. 

As a result of the workshop discussions with the Working Group of Interdepartmental Commission Mr. Baranovas will provide final Аnalysis of the national legislation of Turkmenistan for compliance with the ICESCR and respective recommendations to the Interdepartmental Commission for further consideration and application.

“The Analysis of the legislation of Turkmenistan for compliance with the norms of the ICESCR, as well as the workshop to discuss its preliminary version with members of the Working Group of the Interdepartmental Commission will assist in the preparation of the national report of Turkmenistan on the implementation of the Covenant and the improvement of the national legislation.”-  said Shemshat Atajanova, Head of the Department of Democracy and International Relations, Institute of State, Law and Democracy.

UNDP has been a long-term partner of the Government of Turkmenistan in the preparation of national reports to the UN human rights treaty bodies. The Analysis of the national legislation of Turkmenistan for compliance with the ICESCR will contribute to the efforts of the country to comply with its international human rights obligations, as well as accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the country.

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The NHRAP 2021-2025 adopted by the Government in April 2021 aims at strengthening the national system of provision and protection of human rights and liberties in Turkmenistan, implementation of the international obligations of the country in the given area, and the expansion of cooperation with the international organizations in the humanitarian sphere.

UNDP Turkmenistan provides support to the implementation of the NHRAP 2021-2025 in the framework of the project “Assistance in the realization National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the Area of Human Rights for 2021-2025” jointly implemented with the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan. The project focuses on strengthening the national system of protection, promotion, and realization of human rights in Turkmenistan by harmonizing laws and practices in accordance with the country's international human rights obligations.