Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States, Javlon Vakhabov, has held talks with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Ahmed Shaheed.

The Special Rapporteur welcomed the adoption of the new law “On freedom of conscience and religious organizations” and noted that this act brings many positive changes to the legislative system for ensuring religious freedom.

Highly assessing the intensity and level of interaction of the government with his office, other international structures and the expert community, Ahmed Shaheed confirmed his readiness to continue the established constructive dialogue with the government of Uzbekistan.

Ahmed Shaheed expressed his readiness to visit Uzbekistan in early September to launch a technical assistance program supported by the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the City University of New York (CUNY-RBI) and the University of Essex Law School (Essex-HRC). The program provides workshops and trainings for relevant government agencies, representatives of civil society and religious organizations. 

The UN Special Rapporteur welcomed the plans to hold an international forum “Dialogue of Declarations” and emphasized the special significance of the adoption of the Bukhara Declaration following the conference. In his opinion, Uzbekistan has historically been the center of enlightened Islam with a rich heritage of religious and confessional diversity.

Ahmed Shaheed confirmed his readiness to provide the necessary consultative assistance in the development of the draft Bukhara Declaration, as well as to visit Uzbekistan again in December to take part in the international conference.