MEETING OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMISSION

On February 14, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a regular meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Ensuring 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, ministries, departments and public organizations of the country.

In accordance with the agenda, the participants considered the results of the Interdepartmental Commission’s activities in 2024 and the long-term tasks set for this year, which has been declared as the International Year of Peace and Trust. As noted, during the reporting period, a set of program measures aimed at strengthening statehood, democratizing society and improving the country’s legislative framework was implemented. Modernization of the legal system and practical implementation of Turkmenistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights and freedoms, projects development of relevant national programs and action plans are among the main areas of activity of the Interdepartmental Commission. In this regard, it was noted that interaction with authoritative international organizations, primarily with UN structures, is acquiring a broader format and an effective character.

During the meeting, priority areas of the upcoming work of the Commission, government agencies and public associations in the field of ensuring human rights and implementing the norms of international humanitarian law were discussed, based on the tasks set by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of the country held on February 7 of this year .

According to the agenda, issues on implementation of the “Action Plan for 2024-2028 on the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Turkmenistan” were considered. As was emphasized, in the modern era, an important role is given to international humanitarian law. At the same time, special attention is paid to the protection of human rights and guarantees for ensuring the rights of children. In this context, the issue of developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was considered.

Based on the noble principles of humanism inherent in the Turkmen people and the accumulated experience of cooperation in the field of international humanitarian law, the participants of the meeting discussed the tasks of improving generally recognized and national legal mechanisms for the implementation of IHL norms.

The Program of the President of Turkmenistan on the Socio-economic development of the country in 2022-2028 defines priority areas for the development of human capital as the main factor in ensuring human rights and the development of civil society. In this regard, the meeting heard information from the Authorized Representative for Human Rights in Turkmenistan - Ombudswoman on accreditation in the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the results of work to strengthen the capacity of the Ombudsman's Office.

Key vectors of the Interdepartmental Commission’s activities also include monitoring of current laws, developing relevant recommendations, and raising the legal awareness of the population. In this context, special emphasis was placed on the importance of systematically held seminars, working meetings, and consultations on issues of preparing national reports, reviews taking into account the provisions of international UN documents, and studying best practices in the field of human rights protection.

Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030, 17 Goals of which Turkmenistan officially adopted and adapted to national plans and strategies for socio-economic development, including in the area of protecting human rights and legitimate interests.

The speeches noted that the tasks defined in the work plan of the Interdepartmental Commission are aimed at increasing cooperation in the area of implementation of human rights of executive bodies, local government bodies and public organizations of the country together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations.

In addition, a number of other issues in the field of human rights and humanitarian law were considered and appropriate decisions were made by the Interdepartmental Commission.