OSCE human rights office, Turkmenistan agree to intensify co-operation

ASHGABAT, 17 June 2010 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Turkmenistan's authorities agreed to intensify co-operation on implementing the country's human rights commitments during a two-day visit by ODIHR's Director, Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, that ended today.

"We came here to offer our assistance in further advancing democratic reforms in Turkmenistan, and we have received positive signals regarding the willingness of the authorities to engage more actively in joint activities aimed at implementing the country's human rights commitments," said Lenarcic.

In meetings with Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov; the Chairperson of the Mejlis, Akja Nurberdiyeva; the Director of the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, and other officials, Lenarcic offered assistance on reforming Turkmenistan's electoral framework and legislation on non-governmental organizations and political parties.He also proposed closer co-operation on human rights education and encouraged the authorities to participate more actively in expert meetings organized by ODIHR.

"We have noted with interest recent plans to increase political pluralism in Turkmenistan and move towards a multiple party system," Lenarcic said.

He also expressed the hope that conditions be improved in order to allow for the development of the non-governmental sector. "An active civil society is an essential element of any modern democratic state," he stressed.

During his meetings, Lenarcic emphasized the responsibility of governments in implementing international obligations: "We are not here to impose any foreign standards, but we can provide valuable assistance to the authorities in putting into practice the commitments Turkmenistan has agreed to as a participating State of the OSCE."