OSCE Centre in Ashgabad organizes training course on suspects' rights

ASHGABAD, 30 November 2007 - International human rights standards related to the treatment of the accused, from arrest to trial, were the focus of a training course organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad in co-operation with the Turkmenistan National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights.

The three-day event, which ended today, brought together 15 judges from the Supreme and Ashgabad City courts, parliamentarians and representatives of the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights.

The course introduced the principles and basics of human rights concepts covered by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, giving particular focus to its provisions relating to criminal justice processes.

Two international human rights experts held briefings on freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, the right to a fair trial and the concept of equality of arms.

"Pre-trial detention is a legitimate aspect of the criminal justice system. However, the right to personal liberty and the presumption of innocence require that strict criteria be met before someone can be detained prior to being tried in court," said Ambassador Djikic, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad.

"This training course helped participants improve in their efforts to put into practice international human rights standards related to pre-trial detention."

The seminar featured case studies and concluded with a moot court case in which participants applied the standards discussed.

The course followed a seminar on human rights standards in the administration of justice held in November 2006. The Centre plans to expand training courses on human rights standards to address other specific issues related to the administration of justice.