On Children's Rights protection in Uzbekistan

May 11, 2007

A new law is now being drafted in the Republic, namely "On guarantees of the child's rights". It presupposes the introduction of an Oily Majlis children's rights commissioner institution. This is what Shoira Berdieva, head of the department for social protection and rehabilitation of children at the Ministry of Public Education, told journalists.

"Today, our children have the right to education and expression of their opinion on issues that infringe on their interests. At the same time, their requirements are very special. Children are much more vulnerable than adults. That's why a special approach is needed to guarantee their rights. With this in mind, we think that Uzbekistan has to pass the Law, "On guarantees of the child's rights", as well as to establish a so-called children's ombudsman", said Shoira Berdieva.

She reminded that the Republic of Uzbekistan joined the Convention on the Child's Rights in 1992. "Since then, our country started strengthening national legislation in the field of children's rights protection, integrating the basic principles of this fundamental international document into its national law", she pointed out. "Nowadays, a comprehensive legal framework is in place in the Republic for securing the rights and legitimate interests of children.

Family is assigned a principal role in the upbringing of the rising generation. If a child has no family, it is the state that undertakes to take care and protect him", Shoira Berdieva concluded.