An online roundtable organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) took place in Geneva.

According to the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the event focused on practical measures to combat discrimination and promote equality in parliamentary practice, drawing on national experience from various countries, including Uzbekistan.

The roundtable was moderated by Academician Akmal Saidov, a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and a member of the UN Human Rights Committee.

Participants shared examples of using recommendations from UN treaty bodies in the drafting and adoption of legislation, strengthening parliamentary oversight, and shaping budgetary policy in areas such as education, healthcare, and the protection of minority rights. Particular attention was given to which approaches proved most effective, the obstacles faced by parliamentarians, and how cooperation with UN committees helps achieve sustainable outcomes.

Academician Akmal Saidov noted that combating discrimination is not a one-time effort but a long-term strategy that requires consistent efforts across all branches of government. He emphasized that, in recent years, Uzbekistan has established an integrated system of parliamentary and institutional cooperation with the UN human rights treaty bodies and that their recommendations are consistently used to develop anti-discrimination legislation, strengthen parliamentary oversight, and improve law enforcement practice.

“Today, parliaments face the task not only of adapting international norms, but also of ensuring that they work in practice, providing real protection of the rights and freedoms of every individual”, Mr. Saidov stressed.

In this context, particular importance is attached to the position of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, voiced at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. At the time, the Head of State noted that parliaments play a key role in ensuring peace, social justice, and sustainable development, emphasizing that hosting the IPU Assembly in Tashkent was an international recognition of Uzbekistan’s democratic reforms and the development of parliamentarism.

During the roundtable, parliamentarians exchanged experiences. The discussion focused on the steps needed to strengthen parliamentary mechanisms to combat discrimination, including the adoption of laws, oversight of their implementation, engagement with national human rights institutions, and enhanced cooperation with UN treaty bodies. Participants also identified key challenges, strategies to overcome resistance, and directions for further development of parliamentary activities on non-discrimination.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA