UNHCR SEMINAR ON IMPROVEMENT OF TURKMENISTAN'S REFUGEE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000185 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, PRM, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PGOV PREL UNHCR TX SUBJECT: UNHCR SEMINAR ON IMPROVEMENT OF TURKMENISTAN'S REFUGEE LEGISLATION ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 4, Embassy's Political Assistant attended a seminar on Improvement of Turkmenistan's Refugee Legislation held at the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR). The event was organized by the Foreign Ministry and IDHR jointly with the UNHCR Representation in Turkmenistan. Experts from Lithuania made a presentation and provided recommendations for improvement of Turkmenistan's legislation on refugees. The event gathered a wide circle of officials from Turkmenistan's ministries and agencies dealing with refugee issues. The seminar was held within the framework of ongoing legal reform in Turkmenistan aimed at bringing the country's legislation in accordance with international standards. END SUMMARY. RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING REFUGEE LAW ¶3. (SBU) IDHR Director Shirin Ahmedova chaired the seminar. In the opening speech, UNHCR Representative in Turkmenistan, Brita Helleland, outlined the importance of improving refugee legislation. The heads of IDHR's Departments on Democratization and Human Rights and on Statehood and Law made presentations on "Rights and Obligations of Refugees in Turkmenistan" and on "Norms for Granting Refugee Status in Turkmenistan," respectively. They informed the audience on key aspects of legal reform initiated by President Berdimuhamedov and aimed at incorporation of commonly recognized international norms and standards into Turkmenistan's legislation. Experts from Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, Department of Migration, Ruta Gerikine and Victor Ostrovnoy, delivered a presentation on procedures for granting refugee asylum in Lithuania and presented recommendations on the improvement of Turkmenistan's legislation regulating refugee issues. GOTX FOCUS ON OBSERVING INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS ¶4. (SBU) In the course of the seminar, IDHR Director Ahmedova stated that Turkmenistan granted citizenship and residence permits to over 16,000 forced migrants and refugees, noting that this was "an example of Turkmenistan's commitment to principles of peacefulness and humanism." She underscored that being a full-fledged member of the UN, OSCE and other international organizations, Turkmenistan had ratified and acceded to fundamental documents of those organizations on human rights, and that the country steadfastly observes them. Ahmedova said this was reflected in articles of Turkmenistan's Constitution proclaiming the human being as having the greatest worth in Turkmen state and society and in the country's observance of its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ¶5. (SBU) The event gathered representatives from IDHR, the Institute for State and Law under President of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis (Parliament),the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defense, Internal Affairs, Social Welfare, Education, Healthcare, State Customs, Migration, and Border Services, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Bar Association, the Police and Military Academies, professors and students of Turkmen State University, the Institute of International Affairs of MFA, local media, the OSCE Center in Ashgabat, the U.S. Embassy and the Embassy of the Russian Federation, as well as UNHCR Mission in Turkmenistan. The participants called for continuation of a constructive dialogue and further intensification of contacts to share experience and information in legal sphere. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The workshop was held in a lively, engaging atmosphere. Government officials took advantage of the question and answer sessions to get answers to their practical questions. The format and content reflected the Turkmen preference for workshops and training that focus on the sharing of experience and exposure to international best practices, and which in turn provides input into the drafting process for updating legislation. END COMMENT. ASHGABAT 00000185 002 OF 002 MILES