EU, UNDP, OHCHR Conduct Workshop on International Experiences on the Implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol 

Ashgabat, 15 July 2010 – A workshop on the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol was held in Ashgabat on 7 and 8 July within the framework of the EU/UNDP/OHCHR joint project “Strengthening the national capacity of Turkmenistan to promote and protect human rights.” The workshop brought together members of the working group of the Interdepartmental Commission on ensuring Turkmenistan’s compliance with its international human rights commitments.

During the two-day workshop the participants discussed the provisions of the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol as well as good practices of legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures that have been taken by State Parties  to prevent torture. The workshop was relevant in exposing participants to international practices about the implementation of the Optional Protocol of the Convention.

“The prevention of torture is a long term process, which requires States to take effective measures and to continuously look for ways to rule out any acts of torture under its jurisdiction”, says international expert Elina Steinerte from the University of Bristol, UK, who facilitated the workshop.

Turkmenistan is a State Party to the UN “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” since 1999. This workshop is a part of the process of strengthening the dialogue between the Government of Turkmenistan and the monitoring body of the CAT that conducts a constructive dialogue with the state parties.  Turkmenistan has submitted its initial report to this committee on January 2010 and following internal UN procedure its review is scheduled for 2011.

“The Committee against Torture has a total of 147 States Parties and is a valuable source of expertise and advice on best practices to prevent torture,” notes Ms. Steinerte. “The constructive dialogue with the Committee next year will be an excellent opportunity for the Government of Turkmenistan to assess the compatibility of domestic law and practice with the requirements of the Convention”.

The workshop on the Convention against Torture is part of the comprehensive effort of the EU/UNDP/OHCHR joint project to support the Government of Turkmenistan in strengthening the capacity to report to various UN treaty bodies on its human rights commitments and improve the knowledge and capacity of rights holders to claim their rights. To this effect, the project has already increased awareness of 150 professionals in all velayats and Ashgabat, in the area of law enforcement and administration of justice of international human rights standards and their practical applicability in daily professional life. The project also held a workshop on reporting under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and organized a study visit to Geneva for high-level government officials to provide them with a deeper insight into the functioning of the UN human rights system.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Irina Liczek, Chief Technical Specialist of the EU/UNDP/OHCHR project at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it