Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During its fifth plenary session, the Senate reviewed the annual report of the Ombudsman of the Oliy Majlis on human rights activities in 2024. The report highlighted key achievements as well as issues requiring further attention and resolution.

In 2024, the Ombudsman actively worked to strengthen the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms, aligning efforts with new constitutional provisions.

The main priorities included:

Strengthening parliamentary oversight of human rights legislation compliance;

Improving national legislation and protection mechanisms;

Expanding international cooperation;

Enhancing legal literacy and public awareness.

Thanks to these measures, the number of repeat citizen appeals decreased. In 2024, 3,077 repeat appeals were registered—21 fewer than in 2023.

Particular attention was given to public awareness initiatives. Through the "Ombudsman School" project, advocacy events were held in 86 districts and cities. Additionally, over 4,000 media appearances were organized to promote awareness of the Ombudsman’s activities, helping citizens better understand their rights.

Despite positive results, several issues remain. In 2024, the Ombudsman's office received 23,422 appeals—an increase of 4,800 (25%) compared to the previous year.

An analysis of the appeals showed that 31.8% were related to social rights, marking an 82% rise from 2023. There was also a sharp increase in complaints concerning women's rights, with 294 cases reported in 2024—121% more than in 2023 (133 cases). These appeals mostly involved restrictions on women's rights, domestic violence, and family oppression.

Another challenge remains the low activity of regional Ombudsman representatives. Only 16.4% of all appeals were directed to regional offices, indicating the need to strengthen their role in local communities.

During discussions, senators outlined key priorities for the near future:

Enhancing the effectiveness of legal enforcement measures;

Analyzing appeals by region to identify high-risk areas;

Increasing monitoring visits to facilities housing individuals with restricted freedom of movement;

Strengthening regional representatives' efforts to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

Following the session, the Senate adopted a resolution aimed at further strengthening the Ombudsman institution and improving human rights protection mechanisms.

Thus, the Ombudsman’s 2024 report reflects both significant achievements and existing challenges, requiring a comprehensive approach and continued efforts from the government and society.