A regular, fifth meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States Commission on Human Rights was held on December 5, 2025 in Minsk. A wide range of human rights agenda items were considered, the results of the Russian Federation’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth’s human rights body were summarized, and the Commission’s Work Plan for 2026, which will be under the chairmanship of the Republic of Belarus, was adopted.
Opening the meeting, the Chairperson of the CIS Human Rights Committee, Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation, Tatyana Moskalkova, emphasized: «The Commonwealth of Independent States possesses unique potential for forming a common human rights space based on respect for human dignity, the rule of law, and solidarity. We work together – for the people, for the future of our countries».
The meeting participants were welcomed by CIS First Deputy Secretary-General Igor Petrishenko. He noted: «The agenda covers a wide range of issues of particular significance for each state and our entire Commonwealth as a whole. These are topics playing a key role in ensuring sustainable development, social justice, and the well-being of our citizens: observing youth rights and realizing the human right to a favorable environment».
The Commission considered the thematic report «On the Realization of the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment in the Context of Climate Change» prepared by the Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the CIS Human Rights Commission, Akyikatchy (Ombudsperson) of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jamilya Dzhamanbayeva.
The thematic report noted an increase in climate risks and the need to improve the mechanism for the practical realization of citizens’ procedural environmental rights (access to information and justice, participation in decision-making), as well as the modernization of systems for monitoring environmental threats, their early warning, and response.
The thematic report «On Observing Youth Rights in the Member States of the CIS Human Rights Commission» was prepared by a specially established working group headed by the Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the CIS Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Feruza Eshmatova.
The report highlighted positive trends and efforts by states in improving national legislation and practices for protecting the rights of young citizens.
Commission members also:
– Studied the experience of the Republic of Armenia in protecting human rights in the context of artificial intelligence usage and of the Republic of Tajikistan – on the role of the Human Rights Commissioner in implementing the UN World Programme for Human Rights Education.
– Сonsidered the results of the activities of the four working groups established by the Commission.
– Summarized the implementation of the Commission’s Work Plan for 2024–2025 and adopted as a basis the Work Plan for 2026, which is dedicated to conducting the Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth of Independent States.
– Discussed the election of the Chairperson for the next year and elected the Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the CIS Human Rights Commission, Eugenia Paramonova, to this position.
Based on the presented reports, the Commission members adopted decisions to:
– Continue work on amending the Rules of Procedure of the CIS Human Rights Commission;
– Adopt as a basis the draft emblem of the Commission and ensure the further development of the Regulations on the Emblem;
– Continue interaction with the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly’s Standing Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights regarding the preparation of a new version of the Model Law «On the Status of the Human Rights Commissioner» for adoption;
– Generally approve the developed Methodology for Researching the Human Rights Compliance Index and apply to the CIS Interstate Statistical Committee to obtain a list of relevant comparable indicators for its further pilot testing in the Commission’s member states;
– Agree with the presented approaches concerning the procedure for considering applications by the CIS Human Rights Commission and continue work on the draft Regulations on the Conditions for Admissibility and the Procedure for Considering Applications from Individuals.
While discussing future plans, the meeting participants relied on already achieved results. In particular, this year, Commission members prepared a final report comprehensively covering the two-year activities of the Commission. It was presented by the Chairperson of the CIS Human Rights Commission, Tatyana Moskalkova, at meetings of the CIS Heads of State Council and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Council. The report noted significant progress in monitoring the observance of rights and freedoms, increasing the effectiveness of interstate interaction in this sphere, and strengthening the analytical component.
The next Commission meeting will be held meeting on April 2, 2026, in Minsk.