forms of ownership, the necessary documents, materials and other information and their explanations; 3) instruct competent state authorities and scientific organizations to conduct expert research on issues to be clarified; 4) appeal to the authorized state body or officials with a proposal to initiate disciplinary or administrative proceedings or criminal proceedings against an official who violated human rights and freedoms; 5) exercise other powers stipulated by this Law and other regulations of Turkmenistan. 2. The Ombudsman’s access to information related to state and official secrets shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure determined by the legislation of Turkmenistan. 3. In order to establish the fact of violation of human and civil rights and freedoms, the Ombudsman, within the limits of his competence, shall verify the facts of violation of human and civil rights and freedoms, guided by both the information received and his own initiative, if he became aware of such violations from official sources or the media. 4. Within the limits of his competence, the Ombudsman shall consider appeals from citizens of Turkmenistan, as well as foreign citizens, stateless persons located on the territory of Turkmenistan, against actions and decisions of officials and organizations related to violations of their rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, other normative legal acts and international treaties of Turkmenistan. 5. The introduction of a state of emergency or martial law on the territory of Turkmenistan or in its individual localities shall not entail a limitation of the powers of the Ombudsman, nor shall it suspend or terminate his activities. Article 19. Main functions of the Ombudsman 1. The main functions of the Ombudsman shall include the promotion of: 1) observance of human and civil rights; 2) restoration of violated human and civil rights and freedoms; 3) ratification of international human rights treaties; 4) improvement of the legislation of Turkmenistan on human and civil rights and freedoms; 5) legal education of people on human and civil rights and freedoms, forms and methods of their protection;