HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT KYRGYZSTAN

Geneva, 23 April: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will visit Kyrgyzstan on 24-25 April, the first leg of a four-country tour to Central Asia.

During her visit, the High Commissioner will meet with the President of the Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Kurmanbek Bakiev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other high-level Government officials. She will also hold discussions with representatives of regional and international governmental organizations, civil society groups and locally based diplomatic corps.

The High Commissioner’s visit to Kyrgyzstan aims at increasing her Office’s engagement in the region. The visit will allow her to discuss future cooperation and issues of mutual concern with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and other key actors in the country. She hopes that the visit will enhance dialogue and technical cooperation between her Office and the Government and people of Kyrgyzstan.

The High Commissioner will also be visiting Tajikistan (25-29 April), Kazakhstan (30 April-2 May) and Turkmenistan (3-5 May).