AKIPRESS.COM - An OSCE-supported regional online conference on human rights protection in Central Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic took place on 29 October 2021. The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

Some 79 participants, including representatives of state officials from Central Asia, international organizations and NGOs discussed current challenges faced by people working with human rights, as well as the needs of NGOs. The event provided a platform for experience and practice exchange amongst the participants.

The event was focused on review of human rights observance in Central Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic and illustrative approaches of cooperation between state bodies and civil society organizations.

The participants contributed to the development of a summary on the challenges, needs and experience exchange. Governmental representatives and regional experts from civil society organizations presented their views on the human rights situation in Central Asia.

The conference is part of the Programme Office’s efforts in supporting the host country in strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms.