UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan convened a workshop in a hybrid format on national and international mechanisms of protection of rights of people with disabilities. The event gathered representatives of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor`s Office, Judicial system, other ministries and agencies including civil society organizations from Mary, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap velayats and Ashgabat city.

The workshop is organized in the framework of the three-year UNDP project: "Assistance in the Implementation of the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the area of human rights for 2021-2025" implemented jointly with the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan.

Focusing on international human rights-based approach, workshop is aimed to discuss special responsibilities of the ministries, municipalities, agencies, and law-enforcement sector to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of vulnerable group of the population. The objectives of the workshop will contribute to the efforts of the country to comply with its international human rights obligations and implementing recommendations of human rights treaty bodies, including the recommendations of the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), as well as to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the country.

“I would especially like to note the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Turkmenistan within the framework of Turkmenistan's international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol”- said Rovshen Nurmuhammedov, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative in Turkmenistan.

The workshop will be discussing implementation of rights of people with disabilities according to the tasks and activities on ensuring the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the NHRAP for 2021-2025.

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The NHRAP 2021-2025 adopted by the Government in April 2021 aims at strengthening the national system of provision and protection of human rights and liberties in Turkmenistan, implementation of the international obligations of the country in the given area, and the expansion of cooperation with the international organizations in the humanitarian sphere.

UNDP Turkmenistan provides support to the implementation of the NHRAP 2021-2025 in the framework of the project “Assistance in the realization National Action Plan of Turkmenistan in the Area of Human Rights for 2021-2025” jointly implemented with the Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan. The project will focus on strengthening the national system of protection, promotion, and realization of human rights in Turkmenistan by harmonizing laws and practices in accordance with the country's international human rights obligations.