The Public Association “Social Technologies Agency” (STA) has joined the Public Council under the Akyikatchy (Ombudsman) Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic. The newly established advisory body brings together representatives of civil society organizations and experts in the field of human rights.

The first meeting of the Public Council was held at the Ombudsman Institute. STA is represented on the Council by its Director and Co-Coordinator of the Alliance of Women’s Legislative Initiatives, Zulfiya Kochorbaeva.

The Public Council was established to strengthen cooperation between the Ombudsman Institute and civil society, the expert community, and human rights organizations. The Council will operate as an independent advisory and expert body.

During its first meeting, Council members discussed priority areas for future work and current issues related to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kyrgyzstan. Proposals put forward by Council members included conducting joint monitoring activities, particularly in the regions; supporting the implementation of recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee; and paying greater attention to the protection of personal data and citizens’ environmental rights.

For STA, participation in the Public Council provides an opportunity to contribute the organization’s accumulated experience and expertise in gender equality, the protection of the rights of women and girls, social inclusion, and non-discrimination to discussions on systemic human rights issues and the development of recommendations for public authorities.

Of particular importance is the opportunity to promote more consistent integration of gender-responsive and inclusive approaches into human rights work, while also drawing attention to groups that may face multiple forms of discrimination and additional barriers to the realization of their rights.

Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic Jamila Jamanbaeva noted that the Public Council’s proposals would be taken into account when preparing recommendations for public authorities and developing concrete measures to protect citizens’ rights.

The Public Council also includes representatives and experts from human rights organizations working in such areas as children’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, labor rights, and other areas of human rights protection.

STA’s participation in the Public Council builds on the organization’s many years of work to advance gender equality, human rights, and the principles of social inclusion, while strengthening opportunities for dialogue between civil society and the national human rights institution.