Within the framework of the project «Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ombudsman’s Office», implemented in cooperation with UNDP in Turkmenistan, seminars were held in human rights resource centres located in the Dashoguz and Balkan velayats on the principles of interaction between national human rights institutions and government agencies and public organizations, as well as the legal mandate of the Ombudsman in accordance with the UN Paris Principles.

Representatives of velat branches of military and law enforcement agencies, relevant ministries and departments, local administration, bar association, velat Councils of the youth organization named after Magtymguly, the National Centre of Trade Unions and the Union of Women took part in the events. The goal of the seminars is to improve the legal literacy of representatives of state institutions and public organizations related to ensuring human rights.

In their opening remarks, Ombudsman of Turkmenistan Yazdursun Gurbannazarova and UNDP Country Office employee Lachyn Artykova spoke about the state policy implemented by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the area of protection and promotion of human rights, the role of the Ombudsman’s Office in implementing this policy and the importance of cooperation with international organizations in solving the problems in this area.

Then, presentations were made on the legal basis and practical aspects of the interaction of the Ombudsman's Office with government agencies and public organizations, the UN Paris Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the cooperation of UNDP in Turkmenistan with the Ombudsman's Office, the Ombudsman's report on the results of 2023 and the implementation of the ATF recommendations based on the results of the assessment of the Ombudsman's Office's capacity in 2022.

The events held in Dashoguz and Balkan velayats allowed the participants to expand their knowledge of human rights and the principles of their practical implementation, as well as the activities of the Ombudsman's Office as an independent human rights body. Similar seminars are planned for other velayats of the country and the city of Ashgabat.