Uzbekistan approves Program of activities devoted to 60th anniversary of

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

May 02, 2008

This year, the international community is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines the basic democratic principles and requirements in the field of human rights and freedoms and has become a political and legal basis for the formation of the entire system of international law in this area.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first international legal document that Uzbekistan joined after proclaiming independence. During the pas years, the country signed 60 major human rights documents and became a party to six international treaties adopted by the UN in this field.

Supporting the message of the UN Secretary General on the Human Rights Day, and in order to improve the system of organizational and legislative measures of human rights protection, President of Uzbekistan signed a decree on 1 May 2008 approving the Program of activities devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The document approves a special commission to implement the above-named program, and entrusts state organizations and agencies, public associations and the media to take an active part in the events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the declaration.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, as well as the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan have been charged with implementing measures during 2008-2009 to prepare draft legislative documents aimed at improving the regulatory framework of protection of political, social and economic rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as to ensure strict implementation of the laws in this sphere.

Relevant bodies have been charged with “critically analyzing the activities of human rights departments at the Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan and creating proposals on improvement of their efficiency” within three months.

The Cabinet has been told to develop and implemented until the year end a set of measures to provide state support to national human rights institutions and create other conditions for the efficient work of the Ombudsman, National Human Rights Centre and other institutions.

Taking into account the message of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan has been charged with allocating funds in the amount of USD 100,000 as a voluntary contribution of Uzbekistan in the OHCHR special fund to support the efforts of the UN in the realization of the main aims of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the Presidential decree, the Ministry of Higher and Specialized Secondary Education should introduce special programs to explore domestic and international experience of participation of the media in human rights protection in the curricula of the universities preparing and retraining journalists.

As part of the activities devoted the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, round tables, seminars and lectures on state policy to ensure protection of human rights and interests will be held at educational institutions and among the youth.

On the Human Rights Day (10 December) all schools, lyceums, colleges and higher educational institutions in the country will hold a nationwide class devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.