The 30th session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place in Geneva, from May 7 to 18, 2018.
Reference: the UPR, established on March 5, 2006, by the Resolution 60/251 of the UN General Assembly is the mechanism of the Human Rights Council, within the framework of which regular reviews of implementation of human rights obligations by all UN member states are held.
The UPR assesses the activities of states in the field of human rights and takes necessary measures with regard to violations of human rights throughout the world.
The review is carried out by the UPR Working Group, consisting of 47 members of the Council. Any UN member state can participate in consideration, including in an interactive dialogue.
During the session, it is planned to hear the reports of 14 states on human rights situation within the framework of the 3-cycle of the UPR.
On May 9, 2018, Uzbekistan presented its report. The reviews of the first and second cycles of UPR of Uzbekistan were held in December 2008 and in April 2013, respectively. During the discussion of the second report, 203 recommendations were submitted to Uzbekistan.
The delegation of the country for participating in the current UPR session was headed by A.Saidov, Chairman of the Committee on Democratic Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Institutions of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. It also included Deputy Minister of Justice M.Istamov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs B.Adilov, Deputy Prosecutor General E.Yuldashev, Authorized Person under the President for the Protection of Rights and Legal Interests of Business Entities D.Kasimov, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan under the UN Office in Geneva.
During the event, information was provided to the international community on measures taken to improve the human rights situation, including within the framework of implementation of commitments in this sphere, as well as previous recommendations on the UPR. Participants of the session were acquainted with the main economic achievements of the republic in recent years and the main priorities of the state development. Detailed information was provided on systemic measures being taken in the country to improve national legislation and law enforcement practices, to deepen judicial and legal reforms, and to develop civil society institutions.
It was noted that in Uzbekistan, within the framework of implementation of the Action Strategy, a tremendous activity is being carried out to promote issues of ensuring and protecting human rights. At the same time, reforming is organized taking into account people’s requests, which is achieved thanks to effectively established feedback with the public.
The delegation of Uzbekistan presented the state program “Obod Qishloq – Prosperous village”, as part of large-scale measures on improvement of villages, providing residents with decent housing, activity aimed at reducing the gap between living conditions in the city and rural areas.
It was emphasized that the primary attention is paid to practical implementation of the principle of “Human Rights – Above All”, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In this regard, the UPR site is a unique opportunity of bringing objective information to the world community about the reforms being carried out in the country, taking into account the recommendations of foreign states and international organizations specialized in ensuring human rights.
The adoption of the Action Strategy on five priority areas of development of the country in 2017-2021, which became a kind of road map on reforming practically all spheres of society and the state, was especially noted.
During the discussion of the situation in Uzbekistan, participants welcomed the efforts taken to improve human rights in the country, including political, legal and judicial reforms, strengthening the fight against corruption by ensuring openness of activities of the state governing bodies and administration, as well as improving the quality and accessibility of public services.
The overwhelming majority of delegations highly appreciated Uzbekistan’s achievements in the field of human rights, increasing international involvement of the country and manifestation of a genuine openness to constructive dialogue.
Uzbekistan’s efforts on development and expansion of cooperation with human rights structures of the United Nations were supported, a vivid example of which is the first in the history of Uzbekistan the visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the first visit after a long break of the special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and the adoption of “road maps” on implementation of reached agreements.
The member countries of the HRC, as well as all participants in the UPR session were provided printed materials, in particular, the report “Uzbekistan: progress in the field of human rights”, brochures “2017 – the Year of Rapid Reforms”, the State Program of the Year of Supporting Active Entrepreneurship, Innovative Ideas and Technologies”, “Road map” on ensuring freedom of religion or belief, “Implementation of the State program on counteracting corruption in 2017” and on activities of the Business Ombudsman.
Adoption of recommendations following the hearing of Uzbekistan’s third report on the UPR is scheduled for May 11, 2018.
