AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING

On February 3, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission to ensure the implementation of Turkmenistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law, which was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, a number of ministries, departments and public organizations.

On the agenda were the results of the activities of the Interdepartmental Commission for 2022 and the tasks for this year, which is held under the motto “Happy youth with Arkadag Serdar”.

The meeting participants discussed priority areas of work to improve the activities of state bodies and public associations in the field of ensuring human rights and implementing the norms of international humanitarian law. It was noted that the legislation system of Turkmenistan is consistently developing based on national experience and traditions, as well as taking into account international practice. The improvement of constitutional norms is carried out in connection with the need to comply with modern realities.

During the discussion of the results of the work carried out during the reporting period, the speakers noted that the protection of the legitimate interests of citizens in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international law is a priority vector of the state policy of neutral Turkmenistan. This is clearly evidenced by the “National Action Plan for Human Rights in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025”, “National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025”, “National Action Plan for the Implementation of Children’s Rights in Turkmenistan for 2018-2022”, “National Strategy for Early Childhood Development in Turkmenistan for 2020-2025”, as well as other programs and projects implemented jointly with UN agencies and other international organizations. Last year, fruitful joint work was carried out with these structures last year, concrete results were achieved.

The Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country for 2022-2028 identifies priority areas of work in the field to strengthen the role of human capital as the main factor in ensuring human rights and civil society development.

Improving the activities of state bodies, introducing digital technologies in all sectors of the economy and social sphere, new jobs creation, supporting the development of small and medium business, and expanding employment in the private sector open up opportunities for the population’ intellectual potential ensuring. The law “On State Youth Policy” sees the special importance to promote young people’s attitude to the healthy lifestyle, education in the spirit of patriotism, hard work, high morality and civic responsibility.

The Interdepartmental Commission monitors the national legislative framework and prepares proposals for its harmonization with the norms of international law. In this regard, the complex of activities carried out during the reporting period was aimed at solving priority tasks to improve the legal system and the practical implementation of Turkmenistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights and freedoms.

The main tasks of the activities of the Interdepartmental Commission also include ensuring the preparation of National Reports and their submission to the Committees of the United Nations. As noted in the speeches, during the period under review, proposals were prepared for National reports on the implementation of a number of conventions and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, the emphasis was placed on the achievements of Turkmenistan in the field of human rights and humanitarian law.

As part of the exchange of views, it was emphasized that, in accordance with the priority tasks, great attention was paid by the Interdepartmental Commission to the issues of increasing the level of legal knowledge of the population, expanding access to legal information.

During the discussion of further steps to implement the Commission’s Work Plan, it was noted that in order to study the best world experience in the field of human rights protection, a cycle of seminars, working meetings, consultations with the participation of international experts is envisaged.

The meeting also considered a number of other issues.