Enhancing co-operation on human rights promotion and protection was the focus of an OSCE-organized online seminar that took place on 25 and 26 November 2020.

Experts from Serbia, United Kingdom and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights provided an overview of models of national human rights institutions (NHRI) and shared experiences of co-operation between NHRI and government structures.

“TheinstituteoftheOmbudsperson is one of the most important national human rights institutions in charge of promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“As ensuring human rights and fundamental freedoms is a key component of the OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security, the Organization is attaching particular importance to the creation and strengthening of these institutions.”

The seminar also addressed the legal basis for the establishment of the Business Ombudsman and operating models, role and functions of this institution. Participants discussed challenges and objectives of the Ombudsperson during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of the NHRI and its co-operation with government bodies in time of public emergency.

“Today’s seminar marks successful continuation of the Centre’s co-operation with the Office of the Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan launched in the first year of the existence of the Office and we believe that seminars addressing various aspects of NHRI’s activities contribute to the strengthening of the Ombudsperson’s Office and enhancing its co-operation with government institutions,” added Drozd. 

The two-day event brought together  representatives from the Ombudsperson’s Office, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Ministry of Education,Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Mejlis (parliament), the Bar Association, the Ministry of the Interior, the Supreme Court and other law-enforcement bodies and relevant agencies.