Strengthening human rights systems in Central Asia

Since 2000 the Danish Institute for Human Rights has contributed significantly to the establishment and development of stronger human rights systems in Central Asia. The Institute has been present in four out of five Central Asian states, with the most long-standing and solid engagement in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

We have delivered a range of services and support in almost all processes of strengthening the overall human rights system in both countries.

We have provided technical assistance and helped strengthening capacities of non-state actors, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and relevant authorities and ministries to help them meet their mandates and human rights obligations. We have supported advocacy activities to raise awareness and understanding of human rights and we have pushed for – and supported – dialogue and coordination between the NHRIs, state actors and civil society.

Establishing the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan

We played an essential role in establishing the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan. Our contribution was mainly supporting the working group creating the Ombudsman institution, providing comments to the draft law and organising study trips for the members of the working group.

Following the establishment in 2009, we have supported the Ombudsman institution in strengthening its analytical capacity, the strategic priorities, increasing their accessibility to the public and improving the system of individual case handling. The cooperation has been productive, and the Ombudsman in the Tajik Republic has been able to execute important human rights work, despite the uneasy political atmosphere in the country.

Human Rights Advisory Board in Kyrgyzstan

As in Tajikistan, we’ve played an essential role in strengthened role and mandate of the Ombudsman Institution in Kyrgyzstan. We also supported theestablishment of the Human Rights Advisory Board – a platform that gathers state agencies and civil society to discuss and engage on human rights related issues.

The platform still exists and is fully operational. Every year the platform produces a Human Rights Yearbook – an analysis of human rights situation in the country and recommendations for improvements.

Increased awareness and acceptance of human rights

Our overall engagement with state actors ranging from the police academy to the ministries of justice has led to increased awareness on the operational value of human rights, and the acceptance and understanding of human rights values, principles and standards have increased within the legal systems and among state agencies in both countries.