Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Human rights are at the center of ongoing reforms on political, legal and socio-economic modernization as part of the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy. This was stated in his speech at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) by the head of the delegation of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov.

The UNHRC session has been held in Geneva since 28 February 2022. The speech of the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov took place on 2 March.

“It is a special honor for me to speak at the session of the UN Human Rights Council on the day of the 30th anniversary of the entry of the Republic of Uzbekistan into the most authoritative world organization - the United Nations. Uzbekistan supports the UN Call for Action in the interests of human rights, the head of the country’s delegation noted at the beginning of his speech.

Saidov recalled that Uzbekistan for the first time in its history was elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council for a three-year term - 2021-2023. This election took place in the elections to the UN General Assembly on 13 October 2020.

In October 2021, the presidential elections in Uzbekistan, held in accordance with the requirements of national legislation and international electoral standards, were attended for the first time by observers from the European Parliament, along with the traditional OSCE and CIS missions.

As part of the 2030 Agenda, measures are being taken to achieve the national sustainable development goals with unconditional consideration of the principle of “leaving no one behind”.

Together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in June 2021, the international forum "Global Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals" was organized in Bukhara. A. Saidov noted that Uzbekistan calls for supporting the initiative to adopt a resolution of the UN General Assembly on enhancing the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring human rights.

The report noted the country’s activities within the framework of its obligations as a member of the Human Rights Council, including the ratification by Uzbekistan in 2021 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; holding in December 2021 under the auspices of the "Dialogue of Women - Leaders of Central Asian Countries" a regional forum with the participation of women’s civil society organizations, as well as the structure of "UN Women".

It was emphasized that, at the initiative of Uzbekistan, a resolution of the Human Rights Council on the protection of the rights of youth in the context of a pandemic was adopted, and in August 2021, the World Conference on Youth Rights was held on the topic: "Involving youth in global actions." A. Saidov expressed his gratitude to the High Commissioner for his assistance in holding this forum.

“We will also be grateful for the support of the initiative to establish the post of Special Rapporteur on Youth Rights of the UN Human Rights Council. The state of affairs in the field of the elimination of forced and child labor has changed dramatically. The role of national human rights institutions has been strengthened. Legislative measures have been taken to improve the activities of the national mechanism for the prevention of torture,” the head of the country’s delegation said further.

He stressed that in accordance with the UN call to reduce the number of stateless persons in 2020, the country adopted the law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, since the adoption of which more than 70 thousand stateless persons have been recognized as citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The report also highlighted the actions taken under the National Human Rights Strategy. These include the assertion

Concepts for the development of civil society for 2021-2025; adoption of a new law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”; approval of the Strategy for achieving gender equality in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030; development of a draft National Program in the field of human rights education within the framework of the fourth stage of the World Program and other steps.

“Together with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, this year it is planned to hold the Global Forum “Human Rights Education,” said A. Saidov, inviting representatives of the international community to take an active part in these events.

The report also noted that the country has made significant progress in cooperation with the UN special procedures and sent an invitation to visit Uzbekistan to all mandate holders, joint work with which will be a good prerequisite for the effective implementation of reforms in the republic. So, in December 2021, the 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 Aolain, visited Uzbekistan. Based on the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur, a National Action Plan for their implementation will be adopted. A visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture is expected this year. 

"Uzbekistan has always is ready for broad and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries of the world and practical dialogue with the UN and its institutions. I want to assure you that during its membership in the Council, Uzbekistan is firmly committed to adhering to the highest standards in the field of human rights,” A. Saidov said at the end of his speech on behalf of the delegation of the country.