Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT436
2008-04-08 09:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN: GTZ REENERGIZES COOPERATION WITH

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM EAID KDEM GE TX 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0567
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1420
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2397
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000436 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, DRL
AID/W FOR EE/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EAID KDEM GE TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GTZ REENERGIZES COOPERATION WITH
LEGISLATION PROJECT


Classified By: CDA RICHARD E. HOAGLAND: 1.4 (B),(D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000436

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, DRL
AID/W FOR EE/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EAID KDEM GE TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GTZ REENERGIZES COOPERATION WITH
LEGISLATION PROJECT


Classified By: CDA RICHARD E. HOAGLAND: 1.4 (B),(D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: After nearly six years, during which its
active operations in Turkmenistan were suspended, the German
Technical Cooperation agency (GTZ) has returned and will
provide assistance on amending current legislation as well as
on new draft laws. The first laws to be tackled include the
criminal procedure code, correctional (penal) code,
administrative law, and a new draft law on the status of
lawyers. These laws could build a foundation that promotes
the legal rights of criminal defendants and prisoners in
Turkmenistan. GTZ is working in cooperation with the
Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, whose director,
Shirin Ahmedova, headed GTZ' office here for a time in the
1990s. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) Legal
Advisor for Central Asia Lawrence Fara told EmbOff April 8
that GTZ has recently started work in Turkmenistan as part of
a regional project designed to amend current law and provide
assistance on draft legislation. Fara said the regional
project started in 2002, but did not at that time include
Turkmenistan. GTZ signed an MOU with the Institute of
Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) in January, and she arrived
in country in mid-March to start the project. She said IDHR
had asked GTZ to provide assistance during a meeting in
September 2007. Fara emphasized that IDHR and MFA
(especially Foreign Minister Meredov) are very supportive of
GTZ's project.


3. (C) Fara said IDHR had given GTZ a long list of
legislation the government either wants to amend or draft.
She stressed GTZ is interested in being effective.
Therefore, while it may view some laws as being more critical
than others, it will follow the Government of Turkmenistan's
lead. GTZ is starting work on amending the criminal
procedure code, correctional (penal) code, and the
administrative law. Fara said GTZ would like to address the
issue of torture in the correctional code, but will see what
is possible.


4. (C) GTZ will also start work on a new draft law on the
status of lawyers, which will clarify the role, rights, and
obligations of lawyers. Currently, lawyers have no definite
legal status. Fara said she would like to see the new law
allow for defense lawyers to represent clients in court -- a
right that does not currently exist. As with other
legislation, it will depend on what is possible.


5. (C) Fara said she believes GTZ was approached because the
organization has a long association with IDHR Director Shirin
Ahmedova. She said Ahmedova headed GTZ's office in
Turkmenistan for 3-4 years in the late 1990s. GTZ opened an
office in Turkmenistan in 1996, but problems started in 2002
and work ceased. Between 2002 and 2008, however, GTZ had a
local contact person.


6. (SBU) GTZ does not have an office yet, but hopes to find
one soon. Fara is currently working out of the Ministry for
Environmental Protection. She said office space at the
Ministry is not as odd as it seems. When fully up and
running, GTZ will also implement in Ashgabat regional
projects on the environment (with UNDP) and one on capacity
building for adults.


7. (C) COMMENT: GTZ's work on criminal and penal codes as
well as the status of lawyers could build a foundation that
promotes the legal rights of criminal defendants and
prisoners in Turkmenistan. This would be a major step
forward. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND