On July 22, the UN Human Rights Office for Central Asia, in collaboration with the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator (UNROC) in Ashgabat, held a briefing on the recommendations provided to Turkmenistan within the framework of the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko emphasized the significant role of the UPR in promoting the Agenda for Sustainable Development, Peace and Security, as well as human rights at the country level. He also noted that the UN calls for a coordinated and holistic approach to the implementation of the UPR recommendations. The UN system in Turkmenistan is ready to provide full support in applying this approach, since the adopted recommendations cover issues common to all UN agencies.

On July 23, the UN Human Rights Office held a seminar on practical experience in implementing UPR recommendations for members of the Interdepartmental Commission working on Turkmenistan’s obligations in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law. During the workshop, the OHCHR Office shared best practices from other countries. Participants discussed practical approaches to developing a roadmap for implementing the recommendations.

As Mathilde Bogner, OHCHR Regional Representative for Central Asia, noted during the seminar, the recommendations cover a wide range of issues, including non-discrimination, freedom from torture, the right to a fair trial, strengthening national human rights institutions and improving human rights for groups in vulnerable situations .

As part of the 4th UPR cycle, held in November 2023, Turkmenistan accepted 146 of 228 recommendations. In February, the country also received recommendations from the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women following the submission of its sixth periodic national report, according to an OHCHR press release.