UN Special Rapporteur visits Kyrgyzstan to assess rights of minorities

AKIPRESS.COM - UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues Fernand de Varennes is in Kyrgyzstan with the official visit in order to obtain firsthand information about the situation of minorities and illicit best practices, as well as key spheres, which need to be improved on Dec 6-17, said Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN Special Rapporteur study the laws, policies and practices that affect persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, with issues including equality and non-discrimination, effective participation and representation, access to quality education and the status of minority languages, including sign language.
Varennes will also explore the situation of religious minorities, and measures to address hate speech and incitement to inter-ethnic and religious hatred.
"I look forward to engaging with the authorities, civil society and others to assess the legislative, institutional and policy framework for promoting and protecting the human rights of minorities," said de Varennes.
"This constructive dialogue will identify good practices as well as areas for improvement in the country's efforts to ensure full implementation of its international human rights commitments."
During his 12-day mission, the Special Rapporteur will travel to the capital Bishkek and to other regions where minorities live, Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken. Fernand de Varennes will meet senior government and regional officials, representatives of civil society and members of minorities, including of the deaf community.
Mr. Fernand de Varennes was appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues by the Human Rights Council in June 2017. He is tasked by the UN Human Rights Council, to promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, among other things.