Delegation of Uzbekistan attends events in Geneva

Speaking at the session of high level segment of the UN Human Right Council, the delegation of Uzbekistan recalled that this year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and said that 2014 was proclaimed in Uzbekistan the Year of the Healthy Child, with the participation of the United Nations Development Programme and other United Nations agencies.

The Uzbek side noted that Uzbekistan had achieved considerable results in the realisation and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals despite the economic crisis in the country, and the State budget kept an important social orientation. Maternal and infant mortality had decreased and life expectancy had increased. The delegation underlined the importance of human rights, equality and sustainability being at the heart of the post-2015 agenda.

The delegation underlined the fundamental role played by civil society for the promotion of human rights, including their cooperation with United Nations mechanisms. Uzbekistan was currently considering reforms on social partnership, the judiciary, strengthening the rule of law, and on the liberalisation of the penitentiary system. It had abolished the death penalty and supported the United Nations moratorium.

The delegation of Uzbekistan gave examples on Uzbekistan’s continued cooperation and engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review, Special Procedures and treaty bodies.

The Uzbek delegation underlined the importance of the realisation of the right to water and opposed the construction of huge hydropower facilities without endorsement by the affected countries and deep consideration of the ecological, social, economic and human impacts of such projects.

The delegation of Uzbekistan also participated in interactive dialogue on discussing annual report of the UN Higher Commissioner for Human Rights.