Reforms in Kyrgyzstan aimed at strengthening the powers of the parliamentary human rights institution were discussed
The delegation of the Institute of Akýkatçy (Ombudsman) of Kyrgyzstan participated in the annual meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) held in Geneva, as reported by the Ombudsman’s press service.
Representatives of human rights institutions from 90 countries, as well as representatives of the UN and civil society, attended the event, discussing the significance of national human rights institutions in protecting human rights in the digital age.
During the working trip, the Deputy Head of Akýkatçy and Head of the Center for the Prevention of Torture, Janibek Zhorobaev, held a series of important meetings with international partners.
Among the meetings was a bilateral conversation with the Chair of GANHRI, Amina Bouayach, and the Chair of the Asia-Pacific Forum, Samar Hadj Hassan. The delegation also held negotiations with representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the Accreditation Subcommittee of the global alliance and the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and UNDP.
During these meetings, international partners were informed about the institutional reforms being carried out in Kyrgyzstan aimed at expanding the mandate and strengthening the powers of the parliamentary human rights institution, as well as the intention to initiate the process of preparing an application for “A” status.
Obtaining “A” status is the highest international recognition of the work of a national human rights institution and confirmation of its compliance with the UN Paris Principles.
In Geneva, specific agreements were reached with the UNHCR on ongoing cooperation, as well as with the Asia-Pacific Forum on methodological support in preparing the necessary documents for accreditation.
International partners positively assessed the adoption of the new constitutional law “On the Akýkatçy (Ombudsman) of the Kyrgyz Republic,” which became the basis for the establishment of the Center for the Prevention of Torture and the expansion of the powers of the human rights institution. The importance of developing a national preventive mechanism was also emphasized.
“The trip to Geneva not only allowed us to present Kyrgyzstan’s achievements but also to establish an international mechanism for preparing to obtain ‘A’ status. This is an important step for strengthening human rights and enhancing the country’s international authority,” noted Janibek Zhorobaev.
