Main activities

As a result of consistent large-scale reforms, the necessary political, legal, socio-economic, scientific and educational foundations for the formation of New Uzbekistan are being created. In particular, the necessary measures are being taken to implement the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights.

In the history of our state, for the first time the Republic of Uzbekistan was elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council and our President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his speech at the 46th session of this authoritative international organization, announced the following initiatives:

- radically increase the role of women in the public, political and business life of the country;

- to hold under the auspices of the UN the World Conference on the Rights of Youth;

- present the draft Convention on the Rights of Youth at the tenth forum of the UN Economic and Social Council;

- Submit for consideration the issue of establishing the institution of a Special Rapporteur on the rights of youth;

- Ensuring the rights of persons with special needs;

- hold a Global Forum dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training;

- take decisive measures to reduce the number of stateless persons;

- develop civil society institutions and support freedom of speech;

- introduce a preventive mechanism to prevent torture.

In our country, a Parliamentary Commission has been established for the implementation of international obligations in the field of human rights. In order to bring the national legislation and legal practice of the Republic of Uzbekistan into line with international standards, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Labor Organization Convention on the Fundamentals Promoting Occupational Safety and Health were ratified.

Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to further improve the system of guarantees of the rights of the child”, resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On additional measures for the rehabilitation of women victims of violence” and “On additional measures to improve the system for detecting and preventing cases of torture” are aimed at improving the legislative foundations of human rights and freedoms.

As part of the implementation of the “road map” of the National Strategy for Human Rights, together with the Offices of the High Commissioners for Human Rights and Refugees, UNDP and the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, more than 500 heads and employees of law enforcement agencies were upgraded.

As part of the “road map” of the membership of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-2023, for the first time in the history of our country, a resolution of the UN Human Rights Council on the elimination of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rights of youth, introduced at the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was adopted.

These huge plans, called the Development Strategy, provide for the exaltation of the value of man and the further development of a free civil society. In particular, it is planned to increase the responsibility of government bodies for resolving territorial issues on the basis of the principle “Statehood is in the service of man”, the creation of additional conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, the implementation of the education system in accordance with modern requirements, the increase in the salaries of talented teachers and doctors, the organization of primary medical care according to the principle "one step".

Development of cooperation with international and regional structures in the field of human rights protection

In order to strengthen the guarantees of ensuring personal, political, social, cultural rights and human freedoms, the National Strategy for Human Rights defines the tasks for developing cooperation with the United Nations, international and regional organizations for the protection of human rights.

In 2021, the Center expanded and deepened international and regional cooperation in this direction. In particular, together with the UN, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, national consultations were held on the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the country. As a result, the Republic of Uzbekistan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Law “On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” was adopted.

Last year, the National Center held the following events with international and regional organizations:

- Parliamentary forum on the topic: "The role of parliament in the protection and promotion of human rights" with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Regional Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia and the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan;

- an international conference on the topic: "Education in the field of human rights: international experience and national practice" jointly with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and the Regional Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia";

- "round table" on the topic: "Graz recommendations on access to justice and national minorities in Uzbekistan" by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities;

- seminar on the topic: “International legal standards for the protection of refugees. Obligations after ratification of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees” with the UN Refugee Agency;

- training “International obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the implementation of international UN human rights treaties and consideration of existing national mechanisms for the preparation of national reports and follow-up” with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Central Asia and the UN Development Program in Uzbekistan;

- a training course on the topic "Fight against torture: international practice and national experience" with the Central Asian territorial offices of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and others.

Director of the National Center for Human Rights A. Saidov discussed with the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Matteo Mecacci the development and deepening of cooperation during his visit to Uzbekistan.

The Director of the National Center also held talks with:

- Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong;

- regional representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia, Richard Komenda;

- Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism F. Ni Aoline and others.

On August 12-13, 2021, the World Conference on Youth Rights was held in Tashkent on the theme “Engaging Youth in Global Action”. As a result, the Tashkent Declaration of  Youth was adopted.

Improvement of legislative activity as an important condition for the realization of human rights and freedoms

One of the important tasks of the National Center is to actively participate in the improvement of legislation and law enforcement practice, taking into account the obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights and the recommendations of statutory bodies and international treaties.

The Center has developed the following alternative draft laws:

- “On the social protection of children and orphans deprived of their parents”;

- “On Free Legal Aid”;

- “On Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination”.

Last year, the National Center prepared additions and amendments to the following draft codes and laws, as well as to existing legislative acts:

- Health Code;

- Code on Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations;

- Environmental Code;

- Civil Code (new edition);

-Labor Code (new edition);

- Criminal Code (new edition);

- Penitentiary Code (new edition);

- Code of Criminal Procedure (new edition);

 - Code of Administrative Responsibility (new edition);

- Housing Code (new edition);

- Constitutional Law “On the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan” (new version);

- Constitutional Law “On the state of emergency” (new edition);

- “On Education” (new edition);

- “On the fight against human trafficking” (new edition);

- “On Employment” (new edition);

- “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” (new edition);

- “On the right of persons with disabilities” (new edition);

- “On the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Republic of Uzbekistan”;

- “On introducing amendments and additions to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan”;

- “On the introduction of amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the further improvement of the system for ensuring the guarantees of the rights of the child.”

In addition, as part of the implementation of the measures provided for in the National Strategy, recommendations and proposals were prepared for decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including 4 laws, draft 2 decrees and 2 resolutions of the President, 9 resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Interaction with government authorities and civil society institutions in the field of human rights

In order to ensure the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of a person in our country, the National Center interacts with government bodies and civil society institutions. Strong cooperation ties have been established with the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other ministries and departments, the Women's Committee, the Youth Union, and civil society organizations.

The Center, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Prosecutor's Office, conducted training seminars on the topics "Fight against torture: international practice and national experience" and "Collecting and presenting information on cases of human trafficking."

“Round tables” were also held on the content and significance of the Constitutional Law “On the Constitutional Court” of the Republic of Uzbekistan “Women, peace and security, as well as their relationship with human rights and sustainable development” with the Commission for Gender Equality, the Academy of Sciences and the Institute state and law”.

The event with the participation of the Ministry of Employment was dedicated to the topic “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the movement and protection of migrants”. Also, training was conducted for senior officials of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies on the topic “Issues of protecting the rights of foreign citizens, stateless persons, migrants, victims of human trafficking and forced labor in the Republic of Uzbekistan” as part of a special training module “Human dignity is the highest value”.

Appeals of citizens and legal entities to the National Center for Human Rights

The Public Relations Department of the National Center for Human Rights receives citizens, studies received written appeals from individuals and legal entities, takes the necessary measures to protect their rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

In 2021, the Center received 1,386 applications from citizens, which is 14 less than in 2020. 379 appeals were received at the time of their reception and 892 - through means of communication. Of these appeals, 1007 are statements, 267 complaints and 2 proposals.

Analysis of citizens' appeals reveals:

- what rights of citizens are most often restricted or violated;

- to which state bodies citizens apply, but do not receive a reasoned response to their complaints;

- What are the causes and conditions that contribute to violations of the rights of citizens.

596 appeals relate to personal rights, 561 to socio-economic rights, 85 to political rights and 33 to cultural rights.

Most of the appeals were received from citizens living in the city of Tashkent - 319; as well as from the Kashkadarya region -270; Tashkent region -218; Samarkand region - 95.

Compared to 2020, there was a decrease in the number of requests from the population in Andijan, Jik, Samarkand, Fergana regions and the city of Tashkent. The number of applications from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Syrdarya, Tashkent and Khorezm regions has increased.

Of the appeals considered by the Center, 298 relate to the actions of officials of inquiry and preliminary investigation, 237 - to other government departments, institutions and organizations, 230 - to decisions and actions of officials, and 77 - to the execution of court decisions.

Received 1276 appeals were sent to check and take the necessary action. Citizens were given clarifications on 198 appeals.

As a result of the measures taken by the National Center for Human Rights, on 64 appeals, the violated rights of citizens were restored, on 94, they were assisted in exercising their legitimate rights and interests, on 198, consultations were given on ways to solve the problems that arose.

The arguments of 186 complaints were not confirmed.

Also, over 2,000 legal consultations were given by telephone appeals of citizens.

Information, education and publishing activities in the field of human rights

In 2021, the Human Rights National Center published in the state language the collections “Uzbekistan in the UN Human Rights Council (reviews of the world community and citizens of Uzbekistan on the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council)” and "Freedom of Speech, Opinion and Information: International Legal Framework".

For the first time in our country, the texts of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law “On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” were published in Braille.

Also, together with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, presentations of the “1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness”, “Successful practice of preventing and reducing statelessness in citizenship laws were translated into the state language, published and held. Guidelines for Parliamentarians, No. 29” and together with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities “Graz Recommendations on Access to Justice and National Minorities and Explanatory Note”.

Last year, the National Center held conferences, seminars, round tables on large-scale reforms being carried out in the country, the implementation of national action plans (“road maps”), the National Human Rights Strategy, recommendations of international human rights organizations, protection of political, social , economic, cultural rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of a person, improving the legal culture of citizens, the role and status of women and youth. These topics were covered extensively on the official website of the National Center for Human Rights and on the pages of the magazine “Democratization and Human Rights.

Last year, issues of the National Center's magazine, “Democratization and Human Rights”, were dedicated to the “Year of Support for Youth and Promotion of Public Health”, the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the 29th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the National Human Rights Center .

A draft website of the journal “Democratization and Human Rights” has been prepared and the official e-mail of the journal@nhrc.uz domain has begun to function. In addition, an archive has been placed on the website - all issues of the journal from 1999 to 2021.