HUMAN RIGHTS

THE TSPC ENGAGED AT PROTECTING AND PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS

The promotion and protection of human rights is a key thematic priority of the TSPC, based on the firm belief that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Therefore, working to enhance the compliance of institutions with international and national legal obligations is considered an absolute necessity by the TSPC, especially in a young democracy like Kyrgyzstan. To achieve this goal, the TSPC engages local authorities, national human rights institutions, universities, civil society and international organizations on a wide range of issues related to civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights. To foster this level of communication, the TSPC in March 2015 launched the “Central Asia Policy Review” to provide forum for discussion and advocacy, and proposal policy solutions to issues of concern.     

  Human Rights belong to all peoples of Kyrgyzstan 

The TSPC with the support of AUCA students, human rights experts and activists, local NGOs, USAID, European Union, the United Nations Country Team, OSCE, and other relevant international organizations, conducts research, produces thematic reports, policy papers, inputs to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Human Rights Treaty Bodies, articles, implements projects, designs and supports advocacy campaigns, delivers public lectures, and closely collaborates with human rights actors sharing the same objectives and ideals.

Specifically, the TSPC is fully committed to supporting the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Preventive Mechanism created under OP-CAT, civil society, and international stakeholders in eradicating torture and making authorities accountable for their wrongdoings. The TSPC is currently in the implementation phase of an EU-funded project “Strengthening the fight against torture and impunity in Kyrgyzstan: Prevention, Accountability, Remedy and Reparation” which represented the continuation of the project "Program to enhance the capacity of NGOs and institutions to advocate for implementation of human rights decisions and standards to prevent torture” and it was aimed at researching international best practices on independent investigation mechanisms.

The TSPC advocacy efforts to enhance protection and promotion of human rights translated into the publication of the “Compendium of Recommendations to Kyrgyzstan from the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms” in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in September 2015. This document, which follows up on the previous publication in 2012, intends to support Kyrgyz authorities and civil society actors in implementing the numerous recommendations made by UN Treaty-based bodies and UN Charter-based bodies between 2010 and 2015 with the view of adopting a National Action Plan on Human Rights. The TSPC also directly contributed to the reviews by UN Human Rights Mechanisms by submitting its own contribution to the UPR.  

The TSPC’s research and analysis carried out on the human rights situation in the country results in policy papers and reviews directed to the Parliament (Jogorku Kengesh) and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to foster the compliance of national legislation with international principles, in particular on equality, anti-discrimination, and fundamental freedoms, including opinion, expression, association, and assembly.

To fulfill the mission of the TSPC, the Human Rights Program organizes workshops, rountables, seminars, and conferences to facilitate and support human rights dialogue between civil society and Kyrgyz institutions.

On the academic side, the TSPC produced and published in English, Russian, and Kyrgyz languages the book “Contemporary International Law, Materials and Cases” which is currently in use at AUCA in the International Business Law Department. The TSPC organized a series of public lectures, including on International Humanitarian Law, women’s rights and the promotion of campaigns against gender-based violence, and human rights and protection of civilian in conflicts. Externally, the TSPC designed and delivered training to local NGOs on theory and practice of the Human Rights Based Approach and contributes to local civil society publications with articles on human rights and the right to development.

The TSPC collaborates with a number of research fellows and AUCA students to analyze topics of interest on rule of law, anti-corruption, freedom of media, fair access to natural resources, responsibility to protect, children in armed conflict, and accountability of State and non-State actors.

The TSPC consistently seeks to expand its horizons and goals and welcomes quality contributions and ideas from committed, prepared, and enthusiastic people. For discussions on specific topics, interested persons can directly address Daniele Rumolo, the Human Rights Program Manager at rumolo_d@auca.kg.