Top UN human rights official to wrap up Central Asian tour in Turkmenistan

On the final leg of her four-country Central Asian tour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will arrive in Turkmenistan tomorrow to meetings with Government authorities and representatives from various groups.

“The visit will provide and opportunity to exchange views on human rights related issues with the Government of Turkmenistan and to engage in discussions about future cooperation and continued dialogue on issues of mutual concern in the region and the country,” according to a press release issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Ashgabat, the country’s capital.

During her visit from 3 to 5 May, Ms. Arbour will meet with President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and other officials, representatives of regional and international organizations and diplomats.

The 11-day tour marks the High Commissioner’s first visit to the region, and prior to stopping in Turkmenistan, she visited Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.