Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the High-Level Segment of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 26 February, the head of the delegation of Uzbekistan, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Director of the National Center for Human Rights, Akmal Saidov, made a speech.

As noted in the speech, Uzbekistan is consistently implementing its policy in the field of human rights, an example of which, in particular, is the updated Constitution of the country adopted during a popular referendum in 2023.

The Basic Law now officially prohibits the use of the death penalty. Internationally recognized legal institutions such as the Miranda Rules, Habeas Corpus, and the Pro Bono Institute, which provides free legal assistance, are enshrined at the constitutional level.

For the first time, the Constitution guarantees the right to appeal to both international and national human rights bodies. It also establishes at the constitutional level the status of national human rights institutions. The new version of the Constitution for the first time also enshrines the institution of constitutional complaints from citizens.

A significant achievement of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights was the complete elimination of forced and child labor. The new Constitution now not only guarantees their prohibition, but also introduces criminal liability for such offenses.

Implementing the National Human Rights Strategy over the past 3 years, the following results have been achieved:

- firstly, the position of a children’s ombudsman was established in accordance with the recommendations of the HRC and UN treaty bodies;

- secondly, legal and administrative measures have been taken to improve the system of state support for people with disabilities, thereby implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

- thirdly, the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030 was approved;

- fourthly, Uzbekistan openly condemns the use of torture, amendments have been made to the Civil Code to provide for the procedure for compensation for harm caused to victims of torture;

- fifthly, the National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture was created according to the “Ombudsman Plus” model. In addition, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, the National Center for Human Rights and the Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights were given powers to supervise penitentiary institutions;

- sixthly, Uzbekistan actively participates in the UN World Program for Human Rights Education; the National Program for Human Rights Education is being implemented in the country. Trainings and special courses on “Human Rights”, “Women’s Rights”, “Child’s Rights” are being introduced in the vocational education system and in universities. Training courses on the rights of persons with disabilities, women, children and migrants are being opened. An electronic platform for human rights education has been launched. In addition, ongoing training courses on combating torture are available to law enforcement and penitentiary officials;

- seventhly, cooperation is being established with business structures on human rights issues, training courses on human rights are being organized for entrepreneurs, and a National Action Plan “Business and Human Rights” is being developed;

- eighth, Uzbekistan pays close attention to ensuring religious freedom within its borders, the role of civil society institutions is increasing, including in the field of religious freedom;

- ninth, changes have been made to the procedure for holding elections to the Legislative Chamber using a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional elements; among party candidates, the share of women will increase from 30 to 40%;

- tenth, in the context of the critical environmental situation observed in the world, Uzbekistan is doing everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the tragedy of Aral Sea, which remains a global problem. In June this year, Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the UN OHCHR and the OSCE ODIHR, is hosting the Fourth Samarkand Forum dedicated to climate change and human rights.

“Uzbekistan is always ready for practical dialogue with the UN and its institutions, as well as for broad and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries of the world. In a relatively short period of time, we have made significant progress in interaction with the UN special procedures,” A. Saidov said at the end of his speech.