Uzbekistan Co-Organizes International Human Rights Discussion in Geneva

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — At the United Nations Human Rights Council platform, representatives of international organizations and regional human rights mechanisms discussed modern challenges to the protection of universal human rights. Uzbekistan acted as one of the co-organizers of the event, confirming its active role in the international human rights agenda.

A parallel event on the topic "Universality of Human Rights in Different Regions and Contemporary Challenges" took place in Geneva on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. The discussion was organized by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Council of Europe, the African Union, the Organization of American States, and the Arab Charter on Human Rights Committee.

Participants discussed current challenges to the international system of human rights protection related to rising geopolitical tensions, the selective interpretation of international legal norms, and the shrinking of civic space. The central theme of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the principles of universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights.

During the discussion, it was noted that the universality of human rights does not imply a uniform approach to their implementation. On the contrary, international standards acquire practical effectiveness through their adaptation to national legal systems and the institutional characteristics of states, while regional mechanisms serve as a link between global norms and national practice.

Participants cited the experience of Uzbekistan as an example of the successful application of universal international standards. It was emphasized that the republic consistently implements reforms in the field of human rights protection, strengthens national human rights institutions, and expands cooperation with international and regional mechanisms.

Ava Dabo, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that the universality of human rights is enshrined in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and remains the foundation of the modern international human rights system. According to her, the OHCHR plays a key role in ensuring interaction between universal and regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights and opposes tendencies toward the fragmentation of international standards.

Miroslav Papa, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the UN and Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe in Geneva, presented the European experience of implementing international standards through the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the practice of the European Court of Human Rights.

Representatives of the African Union and the Organization of American States emphasized that effective human rights protection is possible when combining universal principles with consideration for regional specificities and national characteristics.

Philippe Jaffe, the Vice-Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, examined the implementation of universal standards for the protection of children's rights in various cultural and legal systems. Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, drew attention to the problem of shrinking civic space and the need to ensure the universal protection of fundamental freedoms.

Within the framework of an interactive session, representatives of states, international organizations, and civil society institutions exchanged views on practical mechanisms for interaction between the universal and regional systems of human rights protection.

Following the event, the expediency of further active participation by Uzbekistan in the work of the UN Human Rights Council was noted, as well as expanding the practice of jointly organizing international events with the OHCHR and regional human rights structures, and promoting the country's national initiatives on international platforms. Special attention was paid to prospects for developing cooperation with the Council of Europe, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which is viewed as an important tool for strengthening universal standards of human rights protection and developing international legal dialogue.