Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 3 December, the “Human Rights House” officially began its activities in Tashkent on the basis of the Information and Resource Center of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.

In this regard, the National Center, in cooperation with the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi, organized a grand opening ceremony.

The event was attended by representatives of international and regional organizations whose activities are related to the protection of human rights and the promotion of legal norms, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Uzbekistan, representatives of the media, specialists of state bodies, leading experts, scientists and public figures - a total of about 100 participants. In addition, librarians in the centers of all regions of our country watched the opening of the “Human Rights House” online.

The Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights Akmal Saidov, Director of the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Asadjon Khodjaev, Director of the National Library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi Umida Teshaboeva were given the floor for the congratulatory speech.

The speakers recognized that the opening of the "House of Human Rights", established at the direct initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is a very important step towards the development of the human rights protection system in our country. It was noted that it is no coincidence that this solemn event was dedicated to two important dates: December 8 - the day of Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and December 10 - International Human Rights Day.

The President of Uzbekistan's statement that "the New Constitution has opened up a wide range of possibilities for building a legal and just state based on the principles of human rights, democracy, freedom, stability, equality and development" contains very noble truths. If more than 110 human rights are enshrined in the Constitutions of countries around the world, 90 of these rights are included in the new Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and 40 of these rights are new constitutional rights.

As stipulated in Article 56 of our Basic Law, which is being consistently implemented in the life of our country today, "National human rights institutions supplement existing forms and means of protecting human rights and freedoms, contribute to the development of civil society and the promotion of a culture of human rights." In this sense, the official launch of the "Human Rights House" is a major practical measure related to the implementation of this constitutional norm.

Uzbekistan has been strictly and consistently implementing the obligations it has undertaken in the main international human rights treaties to which it has acceded. In particular, within the framework of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on Human Rights Education and the World Programme for Human Rights Education, systematic work is being carried out in our country on a regular basis to develop human rights education.

The usual tradition of the grand opening event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The silk ribbon was cut by Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, Asadjon Khodjaev, Director of the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sabina Mahl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan,  Umida Teshaboeva, Director of the National Library of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi.

After that, the floor was given to international partners and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabina Mahl, former Director of the OSCE Office for Democratization and Human Rights, international expert Matteo Mecacci, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Uzbekistan Yu Jun, Head of Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross Biljana Milosevic congratulated the people of Uzbekistan on the opening of the "Human Rights House", noting that this educational center is a symbol of education, enlightenment and culture in the field of human rights in the country.

Representatives of the academic community and civil society institutions of our country also spoke at the event. In particular, speeches were heard by the Director of the Institute of State and Law at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan Murodjon Turgunov and the Director of the "Development Strategy" Center Eldor Tulyakov.

At the end of the solemn event, the guests got acquainted with the activities of the "Human Rights House". Over a cup of tea, a sincere conversation took place about the essence and importance of the new educational center on human rights.