The 44th session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council is being held in Geneva from November 6 to 17, 2023, Dunyo news agency reported.
The Universal Periodic Review, established on 5 March 2006 by UN General Assembly resolution 60/251, is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council (HRC) that provides expert assessments of the human rights situation in all 193 UN member states. Since the first meeting in April 2008, all 193 UN member states have been reviewed three times.
Uzbekistan submitted its fourth report on November 8, 2023. Along with Uzbekistan, the 44th session considered reports from 13 states: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Djibouti, Germany, Russia, Turkmenistan and Tuvalu.
The first, second and third reviews of the UPR of Uzbekistan took place in December 2008, April 2013 and May 2018, respectively.
The country’s delegation to attend the current session of the UPR was headed by the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber/Director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov. The delegation also included member of the Committee on Women's Affairs and Gender Equality of the Senate Gulnora Marufova, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court Ikrom Muslimov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Yakhozhon Abdulkhakov, Deputy Minister of Health Elmira Basitkhanova, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the UN Office in Geneva.
During the event, information was brought to the attention of the international community about the significant efforts being made in Uzbekistan to protect and promote human rights, including legislative, administrative and judicial reforms.
During the meeting on the report of Uzbekistan, 84 countries spoke and made 244 recommendations.
The UN member countries expressed gratitude to the government of Uzbekistan for the serious preparation for the meeting of the Working Group on the UPR, a detailed national report, additional information on certain aspects of human rights issues and the high level of the delegation sent for dialogue with the UN Human Rights Council.
The overwhelming majority of delegations that spoke highly appreciated the steps taken by Uzbekistan to implement recommendations received during previous UPR cycles in 2013 and 2018, and to develop an open and constructive dialogue with the HRC.
A number of states welcomed the constitutional reform carried out in Uzbekistan, which guarantees fundamental freedoms and human rights. The Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy were especially noted, which demonstrate the country’s commitment to promoting and ensuring human rights and fulfilling its international obligations in this area.
At the same time, Uzbekistan’s efforts to develop and expand cooperation with UN human rights structures were supported, a striking example of which is the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to Uzbekistan in March 2023. The experience of Uzbekistan in developing and implementing strategies for national action plans and programs to implement the recommendations of the Working Group on the UPR, UN treaty bodies and special procedures of the HRC was recognized as worthy of special attention.
The HRC member countries also positively perceived Uzbekistan’s achievements in the eradication of child and forced labor, especially in cotton picking, as well as the fight against human trafficking.
In addition, the measures taken to promote freedom of speech and media, protect children’s rights, reduce maternal and child mortality, create a continuous system of human rights education, ensure women’s rights and gender equality, prevent violence against women, combat corruption, and with torture.
Many delegations positively characterized Uzbekistan’s efforts to deepen social and economic reforms, expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and protect their rights, including through the institution of a business ombudsman, improve the well-being of the population, reduce the gap between rural areas and cities, and ensure universal coverage of education and health care.
In conclusion, the session participants welcomed the attention of the government of Uzbekistan to the issues of ensuring rights and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It should be noted that the UPR platform is a unique opportunity to convey to the world community objective information about the reforms being carried out in the country, including taking into account the recommendations of foreign states and international organizations specializing in human rights issues.
The report “Uzbekistan: progress in the field of human rights”, brochures “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan” and “Uzbekistan-2030” Strategy and other information were distributed among representatives of the HRC member countries, as well as all participants in the UPR session.
