Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1486
2008-11-13 04:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001486
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN
RIGHTS RELISHES ROLE AS UNOFFICIAL OMBUDSMAN
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001486
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN
RIGHTS RELISHES ROLE AS UNOFFICIAL OMBUDSMAN
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) During a meeting with a visiting Emerson College
professor of Political Communication, Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights (IDHR) Director Shirin Akhmedova said IDHR
informally plays the role of ombudsman for citizens with
human rights complaints. In 2007, the Institute received
around 2,000 complaints and this year, to date, has received
at least that many. The letters, which the Institute
forwards to the appropriate ministry for action, range from
requests for money to build houses to allegations about
violations of human rights.
3. (SBU) Akhmedova said that one reason that IDHR tries to
publicize its activities is so that people know that they can
contact the Institute about concerns. IDHR especially tries
to get this message out to the provinces.
4. (SBU) Akhmedova said the response from ministries has
been good. Each and every letter that IDHR forwards gets a
reply, either from the minister or a deputy minister. Two
years ago, during a period when IDHR did not have a director,
complaint letters, when answered, would get rude replies from
low-level functionaries. Therefore, there has been a big
improvement. However, often problems can be solved at the
local level, but citizens choose to write directly to IDHR
for help. IDHR hopes to find a better mechanism for
directing concerns to local officials.
5. (SBU) IDHR will cooperate with the British EMBASSY on a
project to better systematize the way it handles complaints.
Akhmedova believes this will make IDHR a more effective
advocate for citizens with human rights concerns.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: If IDHR is able to play a serious role as
ombudsman for citizens complaints, it will be an important
step forward. And if officials know they can be called on
the carpet for violating rights, that may help prevent some
human rights violations. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN
RIGHTS RELISHES ROLE AS UNOFFICIAL OMBUDSMAN
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) During a meeting with a visiting Emerson College
professor of Political Communication, Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights (IDHR) Director Shirin Akhmedova said IDHR
informally plays the role of ombudsman for citizens with
human rights complaints. In 2007, the Institute received
around 2,000 complaints and this year, to date, has received
at least that many. The letters, which the Institute
forwards to the appropriate ministry for action, range from
requests for money to build houses to allegations about
violations of human rights.
3. (SBU) Akhmedova said that one reason that IDHR tries to
publicize its activities is so that people know that they can
contact the Institute about concerns. IDHR especially tries
to get this message out to the provinces.
4. (SBU) Akhmedova said the response from ministries has
been good. Each and every letter that IDHR forwards gets a
reply, either from the minister or a deputy minister. Two
years ago, during a period when IDHR did not have a director,
complaint letters, when answered, would get rude replies from
low-level functionaries. Therefore, there has been a big
improvement. However, often problems can be solved at the
local level, but citizens choose to write directly to IDHR
for help. IDHR hopes to find a better mechanism for
directing concerns to local officials.
5. (SBU) IDHR will cooperate with the British EMBASSY on a
project to better systematize the way it handles complaints.
Akhmedova believes this will make IDHR a more effective
advocate for citizens with human rights concerns.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: If IDHR is able to play a serious role as
ombudsman for citizens complaints, it will be an important
step forward. And if officials know they can be called on
the carpet for violating rights, that may help prevent some
human rights violations. END COMMENT.
CURRAN