Ashgabat, 27-28 October 2021: UNDP and the Government of Turkmenistan convened the workshop - Review on the Implementation of UPR Recommendations of Turkmenistan, in online format.

The workshop was 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.

The workshop was delivered by the international expert Ms. Natalia Alhazishvilli. As a result of the workshop Ms. Alhazishvilli will provide recommendations on implementation of UPR Recommendations of Turkmenistan to the participants of the workshop - members of the Working Group of Inter-departmental Commission on the Implementation of International Obligations of Turkmenistan in the area of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (The Inter-departmental Commission).

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. The UPR is a significant innovation of the Human Rights Council which is based on equal treatment for all countries in reviewing the fulfillment of the human rights commitments and obligations as set out in: a) the UN Charter; b) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; c) human rights instruments to which the State is party; d) voluntary pledges and commitments made by the State (e.g. national human rights policies and/or programmes implemented); and, e) applicable international humanitarian law. It is a state-driven peer review mechanism, whereby all the UN member States are reviewed on the same terms.

Turkmenistan participates in dialogues on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), in the process of which it receives recommendations for improving the national human rights system. UNDP has been a long-term partner of the Government of Turkmenistan in the preparation of national reports to the UN human rights treaty bodies, as well as in the implementation of the UPR recommendations received.

The Review on implementation of UPR Recommendations of Turkmenistan will contribute to the efforts of the country to comply with its international human rights obligations and implementing recommendations of the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR 2018), as well as accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the country.

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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.