The participants of the International Conference “Prevention of Torture and Other Forms of Ill-Treatment: International and European Standards and Best Practices” in Almaty were informed about the referendum in Uzbekistan on constitutional reform.

First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Akmal Saidov, took part in the conference as a guest of honor.

The forum was organized as part of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme “Central Asia Rule of Law Programme” (2020-2023). This program was developed within the framework of cooperation between the authorities of the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and is aimed at strengthening human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Central Asian countries in accordance with European and other international standards.

The participants noted that the prohibition of ill-treatment and torture is a recognized fundamental right, included both in international human rights treaties and in national legislation around the world.

The constitutions of all five Central Asian countries prohibit the use of torture and ill-treatment under any circumstances and without any exceptions. Foreign and national experts were informed about the upcoming important political event in Uzbekistan – a referendum on constitutional reform.

According to the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, the event was attended by representatives of prosecutorial and judicial authorities, national human rights institutions, including members of the National Preventive Mechanisms, civil society institutions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of international organizations, international experts. 

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA

“Dunyo” IA