“Disability inclusion makes sense for everyone”: UN Human Rights promotes awareness of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Turkmenistan

This work reflects the call of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to ensure that persons with disabilities and their representative organizations are meaningfully involved in shaping policies and infrastructure that affect their lives. 

On 10–13 March, OHCHR held two seminars “Introduction to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” for state authorities and civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities. 

Around 40 participants discussed different approaches to disability and explored the rights enshrined in the CRPD, including the right to participation, the right to work, and the right to an adequate standard of living. The seminars also created space for dialogue on practical steps to advance inclusion and accessibility in Turkmenistan in line with international standards. 

The seminars were facilitated by OHCHR expert Askar Turdugulov from Kyrgyzstan, who shared his personal and professional experience as a disability rights advocate.

The seminars were implemented as part of a project funded by the UK Government in Turkmenistan.

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Turkmenistan ratified the CRPD in 2008 and last reported to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. In its Concluding Observations, the Committee issued recommendations to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the country. The Committee called on Turkmenistan, among other things, to promote universal design for all buildings and public services, information and social communication media, transport and services open to the public, in both urban and rural areas.

Learn more: 

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | OHCHR 

Concluding Observations