TURKMENISTAN: IDHR EXPRESSES INTEREST IN WORKING

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000943 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SCA/CEN AID/W FOR EE/EA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAID ECON TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: IDHR EXPRESSES INTEREST IN WORKING WITH AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative Country Director in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Catherine Dwyer briefed Charge July 28 on a meeting she had with National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) Director Shirin Akhmedova. ABA hopes to partner with IDHR, and therefore, met to discuss various project ideas. Dwyer explained to Akhmedova the types of projects ABA normally does and asked what IDHR might be interested in. Akhmedova said they would like assistance on trade law, training of lawyers and judges, and mediation. She said they would like to set up mediation councils around the country to help settle disputes, without resorting to courts or other formal legal processes. ¶3. (SBU) Akhmedova also suggested that Dwyer meet with the Union of Women to speak with them regarding training on women's rights. She offered to facilitate such a meeting. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: According to Dwyer, mediation works well for local, community-based disputes, which proably account for the majority of problems tha arise. The key to a successful assistance project in Turkmenistan is working with a good partner on an area where the Turkmen see a need. Rule of law training definitely is something that is needed. END COMMENT. CURRAN