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Ombudsmen and other participants at the conference
From 6 – 8 September 2017 the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Kubat Otorbaev, hosted an International Forum on “The role of the Ombudsman in improving normative and legal acts in the field of human rights”.
Ombudsman institutions from Central Asia and Europe, representatives of international organizations, NHRIs and NGOs gathered in Bishkek and at Yssykul-Lake on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the institution of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic to exchange views on topics such as the reform of the penitentiary system, the role of the Ombudsman in the exercise of electoral rights by citizens, the judicial reform and human rights, as well as children rights.
President of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ms Renate Winter, elaborated on her experience from the work in the UN Treaty Body and made a fervent speech for zero tolerance against torture. Also Mr Otorbaev critizised that the current definition of torture was not consistent with the UN Convention resulting in unacceptable behavior especially against the most vulnerable. He therefore advocates for stricter punishment for violence against children. In his opening remarks, IOI Secretary General Günther Kräuter underlined the importance of independent Ombudsman institutions for achieving better human rights protection.
A resolution aiming at stronger interaction among those present to promote and protect human rights was agreed upon.
