On March 9, 2018, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted the Joint Statement on the promotion and protection of human rights in Central Asia within the framework of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This document underscores the Central Asian countries' commitment to further efforts to fulfill their obligations in the field of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and promoting international cooperation in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 70 years ago, continues to recall the equality of human and civil rights and freedoms, as well as the equality of all before the law, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other convictions, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Strengthening of democratic principles and legal bases of society and the state, implementation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and freedoms of each person are among the key priorities of state policy in the Central Asian region. The work of the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia aimed at working with Governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, and relevant United Nations partners to develop and implement policies, programs and measures to promote and protection of all human rights in Central Asian countries. At the same time the Central Asian countries supported the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the HRC Special Procedures, while respecting the principles of a balanced and universal approach in the implementation of their mandates.
It should be noted that this initiative found full support from the HRC participating countries, as well as the OHCHR leadership, aimed at further strengthening cooperation to fulfill its obligations in the field of human rights protection.
