The head of the Uzbekistan delegation, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Director of the National Center for Human Rights, Akmal Saidov, addressed the High-Level Segment of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

As was noted, Uzbekistan consistently implements its human rights policy, as exemplified, in particular, by the renewed Constitution of the country adopted during a national referendum in 2023. The Basic Law officially prohibits the death penalty and establishes internationally recognized institutes of jurisprudence, Miranda Rules, Habeas Corpus, and Pro Bono Institute providing free legal assistance. For the first time, the Constitution guarantees the right to appeal to international and national human rights bodies. It also enshrines the status of national human rights institutions at the constitutional level. The renewed Constitution also establishes for the first time the institution of constitutional complaints of citizens.

The complete elimination of forced and child labor became Uzbekistan’s significant achievement in human rights. The renewed Constitution not only guarantees their prohibition, but also criminalizes such offenses.

During the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy over the past 3 years, the following results have been achieved:

– the Children’s Ombudsman started operating in accordance with the recommendations of the HRC and the UN treaty bodies;

– the legal and administrative measures have been taken to improve the system of state support for people with disabilities;

– the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030 has been approved;

– Uzbekistan openly condemns the use of torture, amendments have been introduced to the Civil Code providing for the procedure for compensation for harm caused to victims of torture;

– a national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture has been established based on the Ombudsman Plus model. In addition, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, the National Human Rights Center, and the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Entrepreneurs have received powers to supervise penitentiary institutions;

– Uzbekistan is actively participating in the UN World Programme for Human Rights Education, and the country is implementing a National Human Rights Education Program. Training and special courses “Human rights”, “Women’s rights”, and “Children’s rights” are being introduced in the system of vocational education and universities. Training courses on the rights of persons with disabilities, women, children, and migrants are being established. An electronic platform for human rights education has been launched. In addition, permanent training courses on combating the use of torture have been established for law enforcement officials and penitentiary institutions;

– cooperation with business structures on human rights issues is being established, training courses on human rights for entrepreneurs are being organized, and a national action plan “Business and human rights” is being developed;

– Uzbekistan pays the closest attention to ensuring religious freedom within its borders. The role of civil society institutions, including in religious freedom, is increasing;

– changes have been introduced to the procedure for holding elections to the Legislative Chamber under a mixed electoral system combining majority and proportional elements. The proportion of women among party candidates will increase from 30 to 40%;

– in the context of the manifestation of the critical environmental situation observed in the world, Uzbekistan is doing everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the tragedy of the Aral Sea, which remains a global problem. In June this year, Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the UN OHCHR and the OSCE/ODIHR, is holding the Fourth Samarkand Forum on Climate Change and Human Rights.

“Uzbekistan is always ready for a practical dialogue with the UN and its institutions and broad and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries. In a relatively short period, we have made significant progress in cooperation with the UN special procedures”, Mr. Saidov said at the end of his speech.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA