HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT TURKMENISTAN

Ashgabat, 2 May 2007: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, will undertake an official visit to Turkmenistan on 3-5 May 2007, the last leg of a four-country tour to Central Asia.

During the visit, the High Commissioner will meet with the President of Turkmenistan, high-level Government officials, representatives of regional and international governmental organizations, and the diplomatic corps.

The visit will provide an 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.

Prior to Turkmenistan, the High Commissioner visited Kyrgyzstan (24-25 April), Tajikistan (25-29 April) and Kazakhstan (30 April-2 May).