“The Ombudsman reported that there are currently no regional offices, and that the institution consists of 15 staff members. The SCA also notes information from the Ombudsman that it has prioritized establishment of regional offices in its 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, which is also reflected in the National Action Plan on Human Rights. The Ombudsman indicated the creation of two new departments on women and children’s rights and protecting human rights in private sector.

The SCA emphasizes that to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of funding for premises which are accessible to the wider community including the establishment of permanent regional presence and salaries and benefits awarded to its staff comparable to those of civil servants performing similar tasks in other independent institutions of the State.

Article 43(6) of the Law provides that the Ombudsman may receive funding for its activities from foreign states and international organizations based on treaties concluded by Turkmenistan and from other sources not prohibited by legislation in Turkmenistan. The SCA notes that while the Ombudsman has not required special permission to receive or use foreign funding, the Law leaves open the possibility for such funding to be restricted if it is prohibited by national legislation or not grounded in an existing treaty concluded by national authorities.

The SCA recognizes the need for the international community, in specific and rare circumstances, to continue to engage and support an NHRI in order to ensure it receives adequate funding until such time when the State will be able to do so. In such unique cases, an NHRI should not be required to obtain approval from the state for external sources of funding, as this requirement may detract from its independence.

The SCA recommends that the Ombudsman continue to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure accessibility to its services including through the establishment of regional offices and to ensure continued engagement with communities nationally, including in regional and remote areas.

The SCA also recommends that the Ombudsman advocate for amendments to Article 43(6) of the Law to ensure that the Ombudsman’s ability to receive funding from foreign states and international organizations is not subject to undue restrictions.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding of NHRI.”