on the implementation of human rights, and as such was not a representative of the Government.

On the direct implementation of international conventions, a delegate noted the primacy of international law over national legislation. In Turkmenistan courts worked on a monthly basis on how to implement these provisions though it was admitted that no case law existed yet as judges had not encountered problems in this area.

When drafting treaty body reports or dealing with recommendations, the suggested or received text was circulated through parliamentary committees and feedback on the contents was passed to the inter-agency committee for review. For example, recent recommendations with regards to the elimination of torture were passed into law following a suggestion at the international level.

Regarding the women’s camps in Dashoguz, mentioned by an Expert,no specific information was in hand though all international standards were met and the International Committee of the Red Cross had been consulted about its construction. A monitoring committee was set up in 2011 to check on ensuring the observance of the rights of persons in detention and to help them to reintegrate on release.

Divorced women were not disadvantaged in Turkmen society, and were in fact, protected by provisions in law, said a member of the delegation. Society in general was positive towards women that made this decision and sought to support them.

On gender equality in civil rights, the constitution stated that there was a need to protect the inalienable rights of all citizens and these should not be limited. The main thrust of the State’s policy was