Two decades of promoting human rights in Kyrgyzstan
For 20 years, we have contributed to the development of effective and self-sustaining national human rights systems.
The year 2022 marked 20 years of engagement by the Danish Institute for Human Rights in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia. For more than two decades, we have 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 the countries.
We have provided technical assistance and helped strengthen capacities of non-state actors, national human rights institutions 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 among the national human rights institutions, state actors and civil society.
Our work in Kyrgyzstan is co-funded by the EU and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
Across the region, there are now two generations of human rights professionals who are assuming leadership in government and public life. The previous Ombudsperson in Kyrgyzstan, the first woman to be appointed to the post, has a background as a human rights lawyer and civic activist, while the current Ombudsperson, also a woman, has yearlong experience with prosecution.
A strong human resource base exists in Kyrgyzstan, and other countries in the region, that will continue to advocate for a national development, drawing strength from Central Asian indigenous culture and traditions, at the same time embracing an open, democratic, and inclusive society.