Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 6 October 2020, within the framework of the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights, an international online seminar was held on the topic: "The role of parliament in improving the legal framework for the prevention of torture within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism."

The event was organized by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Center for Human Rights in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the UN Permanent Mission to Uzbekistan and the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

The purpose of this international seminar is to enhance the role of parliament in implementing the recommendations of the UN international human rights mechanisms to prevent torture.

At the opening of the seminar, its participants were greeted by Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ilya Novikov, Representative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Helena Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, John McGregor, OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

The seminar was attended by members of the Senate and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of ministries, law enforcement agencies, civil society institutions, as well as representatives of international organizations and the diplomatic corps in Uzbekistan, the National Center for Human Rights, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights and the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by international experts, including Ilya Novikov from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Debra Long, Senior Fellow at the Center for Human Rights at the University of Bristol (UK), Victor Zakharia, Deputy Chairman of the UN Subcommittee on Torture, Georgy Tugushi, a former member of the Committee UN Against Torture, Laura Jeffrey, Counselor on Torture Prevention Bureau for Institutions and Human Rights.

In our time, the importance of the institution of parliament is constantly growing in ensuring the rights and freedoms of man and citizen. Parliaments are called upon to organize the functioning of the system of protection and restoration of violated rights, to ensure the fulfillment of international obligations of states in the field of human rights.

The parliament of Uzbekistan is actively promoting the issue of ensuring human rights today. Work on bills is carried out with the obligatory consideration of the fulfillment of Uzbekistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights, the parliament monitors the effectiveness of the adopted laws regulating human rights issues and control over their implementation, parliamentary control is exercised over the work of the executive authorities in the implementation of human rights obligations.

The country’s parliament systematically conducts consultations with national human rights institutions and representatives of civil society on human rights issues; deputies participate in national consultations when preparing national reports on the implementation of international human rights obligations. In addition, parliament approves national action plans to implement the recommendations of the UN statutory and treaty bodies.

In 2018, the Parliamentary Report on Human Rights was presented for the first time. In May 2020, the lower house of Parliament heard information on the implementation of international obligations in the field of human rights, adopted a National Action Plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council.

To date, the Parliament of Uzbekistan has approved and is being implemented 5 "Road Maps" for the implementation of international obligations in the field of human rights. Such activity of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was highly appreciated by the leadership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. “The IPU welcomes the latest measures taken by the Uzbek parliament to implement international human rights standards at the national level,” the article on the official website of the IPU says.

On 22 June 2020, the Decree of the President of the country No.UP-6012 "On Approval of the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights" was adopted, in accordance with which the Parliamentary Commission for Compliance with International Human Rights Obligations is formed, as well as quarterly hearings of information from the heads of ministries and departments on the progress in the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy and the Road Map to it.

The intensification of the activities of the Parliament of the country in the field of human rights fully concerns the prevention of such a negative phenomenon as torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

In 1995, the Republic of Uzbekistan ratified the UN Convention against Torture and has consistently improved the phased implementation of its international obligations in the field of human rights and freedoms, including the creation of the necessary legal environment to prevent the spread of torture.

During the seminar, Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee against Torture Viktor Zakharia noted significant changes in the field of human rights in Uzbekistan in recent years, including in terms of the implementation of international recommendations, the development of a national preventive mechanism and measures to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

For example, Giorgi Tugushi, a former member of the UN Committee against Torture, highlighted the practical achievements of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights and freedoms. In particular, the adoption of a long-term National Strategy in the field of human rights will contribute to the formation of respect for human rights and freedoms in Uzbekistan and further strengthen its image in the international arena. At the same time, it is planned to increase the role of parliament and civil society institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of Uzbekistan until 2030, strengthen the rule of law, harmonize national legislation and law enforcement practice with international human rights obligations.