At the beginning of 2024, at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for Ensuring Compliance with Turkmenistan's International Obligations in the field of human rights and international Humanitarian Law, a three-year plan was adopted that defines the priorities of activities in the field of the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for the coming years. This is a Work plan for 2024-2026, developed by the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan jointly with the Government of the country.
This plan covers a wide range of areas designed to strengthen the human protection system in situations of armed conflict and other situations of violence.
Key areas of the Work Plan for 2024-2026:
- Improvement of legislation:
-Holding a working meeting on the implementation of the norms of IHL in the legislation of Turkmenistan.
- Study of international conventions and agreements in the field of IHL and preparation of proposals for accession to them.
- Exchange of experience and knowledge:
-Study of international experience in the implementation of IHL norms.
-Holding a regional meeting on the exchange of experience with the participation of representatives of the working group of the Interdepartmental Commission.
- Establishment of a National Information Bureau:
-Studying the experience of national information bureaus in other countries.
- Development of regulatory documents regulating the establishment and operation of the national information bureau in accordance with the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
- Development of cooperation:
-Development of cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international organizations working in the field of IHL.
- Development of cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on humanitarian issues, including emergencies.
- Protection of cultural property:
- Implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property during Armed Conflict in measures to protect cultural heritage.
- Participation in the activities of the Movement:
- Participation in the activities of organizations of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Humanitarian aid:
- Assistance in organizing the provision of humanitarian assistance to Turkmenistan to victims in emergency situations.
- Education and awareness:
-Organization of courses on the IHL teaching methodology for teachers of educational institutions.
-Organization of meetings for the exchange of information on current issues of IHL for government officials and representatives of public organizations.
-Dissemination of knowledge about IHL in the State Frontier Service, the State Migration Service, the State Customs Service, military educational institutions and universities where law is taught.
-Promotion of the norms of the laws of Turkmenistan "On the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan", "On the use and protection of the symbols of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross", "On volunteerism", "On international humanitarian assistance in an emergency situation" among military personnel and students of military educational institutions.
- Facilitating the participation of university students and teachers in international competitions and events on IHL.
- Cooperation with a Charitable foundation:
-Organization of events to strengthen cooperation with the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation and international organizations of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross in the field of international humanitarian assistance.
The adoption of this Work Plan is an important step towards strengthening Turkmenistan's position in the field of international humanitarian law. Its successful implementation will contribute to increasing the level of protection of the country's population in the face of modern challenges and threats.
