On April 21–22, the 117th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was held in Geneva. A delegation from our country took part in it, headed by Dilnoza Muratova, Deputy Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.

The Uzbek delegation included representatives of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Compatriots Abroad, as well as the Ministry of Preschool and School Education.

During the event, the achieved results in ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention were discussed in an open and constructive manner. Following the meeting, the relevant UN Committee presented proposals and recommendations based on the review of the periodic report, which will serve as an important guideline for further reforms in the field of human rights in the country.

The thirteenth–fourteenth periodic report, prepared by the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights on the implementation of the Convention, covers large-scale reforms carried out in 2020–2022. More than 40 government bodies and over 20 civil society institutions took part in the preparation of this report.

The report of Uzbekistan provides a detailed account of the step-by-step implementation of the Convention’s provisions, recent changes in national legislation, and achievements in combating racial discrimination. In particular, it highlights the following areas:
– consistent implementation of state policy aimed at eliminating racial discrimination;
– ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all persons regardless of their national, racial, or ethnic origin;
– systemic measures to overcome stereotypical (“outdated”) views in society;
– specific measures to prevent discrimination in political and social life, as well as in education, employment, healthcare, socio-economic development, and international cooperation;
– expansion of educational programs that promote interethnic harmony and mutual respect.

For reference: The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 21, 1965, and is one of the key international human rights instruments. The Convention prohibits any discrimination based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin and calls on States parties to undertake concrete obligations to strengthen the principle of equality.

The Republic of Uzbekistan acceded to this Convention on the basis of a resolution of the Oliy Majlis dated August 31, 1995. Since then, the country has regularly submitted periodic reports and actively participated in the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a UN treaty body that monitors the implementation of the Convention by States parties. It currently consists of 18 independent experts—highly qualified lawyers and human rights specialists from various countries.

Press Service
National Center of
the Republic of Uzbekistan
for Human Rights