Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT185
2009-02-05 09:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

UNHCR SEMINAR ON IMPROVEMENT OF TURKMENISTAN'S REFUGEE

Tags:  PREF PGOV PREL UNHCR TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3556
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ
RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0185/01 0360938
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050938Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2269
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4796
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2583
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2448
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3040
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0946
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3310
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
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

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.


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