Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The first Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights Akmal Saidov met with the Director of OSCE / ODIHR Matteo Mecacci.

Welcoming the guest, the Uzbek side informed about the main activities of the lower chamber of the parliament of Uzbekistan, including the activities of the Committee on Democratic Institutions, Non-State Organizations and Self-Government Bodies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Parliamentary Commission on Compliance with International Obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Having familiarized himself with the work of the parliament, Matteo Mecacci, highly appreciated the creation and activities of the Parliamentary Commission on the observance of international obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The guest noted with satisfaction the wide and active involvement of the Uzbek parliament in the reform processes.

During the meeting, a thorough exchange of views took place on further prospects for interaction within the framework of the Memorandums of Understanding signed between the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the OSCE / ODIHR (August 2018), between the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and the OSCE / ODIHR (November 2020), as well as deepening partnership with the OSCE / ODIHR in improving the legislative process, ensuring the rule of law and human rights.

In turn, Matteo Mecacci, expressing satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the OSCE / ODIHR and Uzbekistan, stressed his readiness to provide support in carrying out a legal examination of bills related to human rights and democratization of society.

Matteo Mecacci highly appreciated the level of development and modernization of electoral procedures in Uzbekistan. In this context, he called on Uzbekistan to take measures to further implement the recommendations of the OSCE / ODIHR, presented following the results of the last parliamentary elections.

Mecacci expressed a positive assessment of the reforms carried out in the field of human rights, including the readiness of Uzbekistan to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. The ODIHR Director confirmed his readiness to assist in conducting trainings and seminars to raise awareness of law enforcement officials on international standards for combating torture.

Following the meeting, Matteo Mecacci expressed his readiness to assist in holding the Global Forum on Human Rights Education, as well as the World Conference on Youth Rights.

The meeting was held in a constructive spirit. The guest was presented with a souvenir and publications of the NCHR, published jointly with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.