On 10 December, 2024, the OSCE Academy, supported by Right Livelihood, held a workshop in honour of Human Rights Day, marking the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Dr. Pal Dunay, Interim Director of the OSCE Academy, welcomed the guests. He went on to point out that although the challenges were different when the UDHR was drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt and René Cassin, however, the universality of human rights is by far not guaranteed today either. Although many people benefit from unrestrained access to human rights billions of people are deprived of it partially or fully. Consequently, it is not only celebration of an anniversary but also an appeal to continue advocate human rights that brings us together on this day. Following Dr. Dunay’s speech, H.E. Antje Grawe, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, highlighted that “these [regions] were and are still places where what's core is what the United Nations and also the OSCE are all about, which is peace, and for lasting peace to be restored, to be established, to be built and human rights are absolutely essential, as we tend to forget it nowadays”. Prof. Manfred Nowak, Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, joined the workshop online to deliver a speech on the UDHR and the significance of Human Rights Education.
The first panel session, titled "Celebrating Human Rights 76 Years after the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," began with Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, presenting "The OSCE’s Role in Supporting and Promoting Human Rights”. Then, Mr. Hans Farnhammer, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in the Kyrgyz Republic, shared information about the EU projects related to Human Rights in the region. The third presentation of the panel was made by Dr. Anja Mihr, Academic Director of the MAHRS Programme, who joined online to talk on "Current Challenges for Human Rights in the World and in Central Asia Specifically." Dr. Mihr clearly outlined the main tendencies of respect for human rights in the region and the further steps necessary in order 80 million Central Asian people could benefit from them fully. The first panel concluded with Ms. Karlygach Nurmanbetova, MAHRS Programme Specialist and Children's Rights Officer at the Global Campus Central Asia, presenting "Right Livelihood Foundation: Child Rights-Related Activities in Kyrgyzstan."
During the coffee break between the panels, participants and guest speakers engaged in networking activities. This was followed by Panel Session II, which featured presentations by MAHRS students on selected human rights issues. Dr. Dunay moderated the second panel, starting with Ms. Rakhilia Torogul kyzy’s presentation, MAHRS student of 2023-2025 from Kyrgyzstan, on “Autonomous Weapons and Global Governance”. The second presentation was by Mr. Javad Mohammadi, MAHRS student of 2023-2025 from Afghanistan, who spoke on "Good Governance in Afghanistan and Tajikistan: Institution Building After War and Conflict." Ms. Rachel Cantlow, a MAHRS student of 2024-2026 from the UK, then discussed "Challenges and Opportunities of Universalism within Human Rights." The second session concluded with Mr. Navruz Erkaev, MAHRS student of 2024-2026 from Tajikistan, presenting on "Achieving Equal Access to Free Education in Tajikistan: The Limits and Potentials of Article 26 of the UDHR." All the four presentations have demonstrated the valuable knowledge and insights of MAHRS students and their commitment to the value of human rights. The participants clearly understood the importance of human rights advocacy and the spreading of knowledge in the subject area.
The workshop ended with a lively discussion that fostered collaboration and a shared commitment of the OSCE Academy to upholding the principles of the UDHR.
This workshop was financially supported by Right Livelihood.