HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT CENTRAL ASIA

17 April 2007


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will visit the Central Asian Republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, from 24 April to 5 May 2007.

Marking her first visit to the region, the High Commissioner will travel first to Kyrgyzstan (24-25 April), followed by Tajikistan (25-29 April), Kazakhstan (30 April-2 May) and Turkmenistan (3-5 May). During the visit, she intends to meet with the Presidents of each country, high-level Government officials, representatives of national human rights institutions, international organizations, civil society groups and locally based diplomatic corps.

The High Commissioner’s visit to Central Asia 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 Governments and other key actors in the region. She hopes that the visit will enhance dialogue and technical cooperation between her Office and the Governments and people of the region.