Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has promised to create an institution of human rights ombudsman in the country.

Berdimuhamedov was sworn in on February 17 in a grand ceremony after securing over 97 percent of the vote at the elections held on February 12.

During his inauguration speech, Berdimuhamedov said his inauguration for a third consecutive term as the country's leader marked "a new era of presidential rule".

The Parliament of the nation of over 5 million approved the law “On Ombudsman” in late 2016.

“The position of ombudsman or commissioner for human rights is established with a view to ensuring safeguards of the state protection of rights and liberties of people and citizens, their compliance and respect by government authorities, local governments and their officials,” the Turkmen government then reported.

In general, the activities of the Ombudsman are connected between the state and civil society. One of the key functions of the Ombudsman is to exercise control over the activity of the state authorities by considering citizens’ complaints against the actions of bodies or their officials who breach human and citizens’ rights and freedoms.

In this aspect, Ombudsman’s important function is to conduct investigations, to provide recommendations, to have the violated rights restored and submit proposals on amending legislation or revising the unlawful administrative practices of the bodies of state authorities.

Turkmenistan sits on the world's fourth largest natural gas reserves and aims to diversify export routes and its hydrocarbon-based economy as a whole.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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