ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

On 26 March, an online session dedicated to universality of human rights and its importance in preventive diplomacy was held within the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA).

The goal of the session, facilitated by Mr. Armands Pupols, UNRCCA Political and Human Rights Officer, was raising awareness among young people from Central Asia and Afghanistan on human rights as one of core elements for long term security, stability and development. 

The presentation focused on the evolving concept of human rights following different schools of thoughts and religions. It also covered individual and groups rights and their inseparable and interdependent nature as well as the current human rights mechanisms based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the Universal Periodic Review process.

Furthermore, the interactive discussion included specific topics such as the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan, respect of human rights while countering extremism and terrorism, new technologies and human rights, and elimination of selectiveness in applying human rights principles.