Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 12 November 2020, with the participation of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and other organizers, National Consultations on the implementation of international obligations in the field of human rights were held online.

Among the organizers are the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Development Strategy Center with the support of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of ministries and departments, civil society institutions, international organizations and the diplomatic corps.

As you know, Uzbekistan submitted the Third National Report on Human Rights, following the consideration of which the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) made recommendations. On the progress in implementing these recommendations, a draft Voluntary Interim Report was prepared, which was discussed by the participants of these National Consultations.

The preparation of such a report is not the responsibility of the country, but is done on a voluntary basis in those states that, like Uzbekistan, consider such interim reports a unique tool for assessing the human rights situation in the country. This tool enables the assessment and identification of areas where the greatest progress has been made and those that require additional attention.

In addition, the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego Garcia-Sayana visited Uzbekistan, who also prepared recommendations. The draft National Action Plan for the implementation of these recommendations is also presented for discussion during the National Consultations.

The presentation of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the results of his visit to Uzbekistan took place in June this year during the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Diego Garcia-Sayan positively assessed the reforms in the justice system carried out at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and made a number of recommendations aimed at further strengthening the independence of judges and prosecutors and the free exercise of professional activities by lawyers.

Uzbekistan attaches great importance to the mandate and role of the UN Human Rights Council as the main international institution for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

As noted by the participants, the election of Uzbekistan as a member of the UN Human Rights Council was a clear evidence of Uzbekistan’s commitment to fundamental principles and international cooperation in the field of human rights.

It was also emphasized that representatives of civil society of the Republic of Uzbekistan are actively involved in monitoring the implementation of international obligations in the field of human rights.

Within the framework of the National Consultations, a ceremony of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan took place.