The National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Centre for Development and Justice (CDJI), with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uzbekistan, are continuing the implementation of the human rights educational programme “Capstone Project”.

         As part of the project, on 19 June 2026, an open lecture was delivered by an Associate Professor at the Department of Criminal Law of Tilburg University (the Netherlands), Professor Dorris de Vocht on the topic: “Digital Justice and the Right to a Fair Trial: Human Rights in the Era of Technological Transformation”.

         The event brought together students, young researchers and faculty members of Tashkent State University of Law, the Law Enforcement Academy and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of other stakeholders engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Director of the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Academician Akmal Saidov. He emphasised the growing role of human rights education and research in addressing the new challenges arising amid technological development and digital transformation.

“For Uzbekistan, digital justice holds particular significance in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of the judicial and legal system, the introduction of electronic court proceedings and the alignment of national legislation with international standards of fair justice,” — noted A. Saidov.

The participants of the meeting were also welcomed by the President of the International Centre for Development and Justice (CDJI), Azamat Shambilov. He highlighted the importance of equipping future lawyers and researchers with the knowledge and analytical skills required to work at the intersection of human rights, criminal justice and technological innovation.

“Technology has the potential to expand access to justice, enhance efficiency and make legal services more accessible to broad segments of the population. At the same time, it compels us to confront fundamental questions of fairness, accountability, public trust, transparency and equality before the law. As courts and justice institutions increasingly rely on digital tools and artificial intelligence, we must ensure that technological innovation strengthens, rather than weakens, the protection of human rights,” — said A. Shambilov.

He emphasised that the “Capstone Project” aims to encourage young researchers and future legal professionals to critically assess these processes and to contribute to building justice systems that are both innovative and grounded in respect for human rights.

During the lecture, drawing on the example of the European Court of Human Rights, Professor Dorris de Vocht analysed the opportunities and challenges associated with online hearings, remote participation, digital evidence and the growing role of technology in judicial decision-making and court administration.

“The key challenge lies not in whether courts can use technology, but in whether they can do so without losing those human qualities that make criminal justice fair and legitimate,” — the expert emphasised.

As part of the programme, Professor Dorris de Vocht also held consultations for the student teams taking part in “Capstone Project Uzbekistan”. There, the participants presented the interim results of their human rights research projects and received expert recommendations.

Press Service of the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan