APF hosts virtual workshop with Turkmenistan’s human rights body

The APF has held a virtual workshop with the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan and senior staff from her office to discuss the process of accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and the requirements of the Paris Principles.

The workshop, held over videoconference on 21 January 2021, follows an introductory session with the Office of the Ombudsman held last year to discuss the work of the institution and identify potential areas of APF support.

During the recent workshop, APF Legal and Policy Manager, Phillip Wardle shared information on the GANHRI accreditation process, including the components of the written application, the mandate and composition of GANHRI's subcommittee on accreditation (SCA) and the interview process of the SCA.

"It's been fantastic to be able to work closely with the Ombudsman's office to support her and her staff in the early stages of considering an application for accreditation with GANHRI," said Mr Wardle.

"The APF is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with the Ombudsman in 2021, continuing to provide technical support on the GANHRI accreditation process and other measures to support her functional work," he said.

Representatives from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also took part in the workshop. The APF is grateful for their support and participation.

The Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan was established in 2017 as an independent human rights body, with Ms Yazdursun Gurbannazarova appointed by Parliament as the country's first Ombudsperson.

Each year, Ms Gurbannazarova submits a report to the President of Turkmenistan detailing the human rights situation of the country. The Office of the Ombudsman also has powers to carry out inspections of places of detention without notice, and to request information on human rights from organisations in Turkmenistan.

The APF will continue to work with the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan in support of its application for accreditation with GANHRI, which is a requirement for membership of the APF.

Date: 26 February 2021