Uzbekistan, ICRC Sign 2026–2027 Humanitarian Law Action Plan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's National Human Rights Centre and the Central Asia Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed an Action Plan for the Promotion of International Humanitarian Law for 2026–2027 during a ceremony held at the House of Human Rights in Tashkent on 24 July 2026.

The signing marks another stage in the development of the parties' long-standing cooperation, which marks its 33rd anniversary in 2026. In 1993, Uzbekistan acceded to the four 1949 Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims and their Additional Protocols, reaffirming its commitment to the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

Opening the ceremony, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan, recalled the historical origins of international humanitarian law. He said its development began with the Battle of Solferino in 1859, Henri Dunant's book "A Memory of Solferino," and the adoption of the First Geneva Convention on 22 August 1864.

Saidov noted that 196 countries are now parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, making them among the few truly universal international treaties.

He also highlighted Uzbekistan's own humanitarian traditions, noting that the Uzbekistan Red Crescent Society, founded in Samarkand in 1925, marked its centenary in 2025.

According to Saidov, the newly signed Action Plan is a logical continuation of the long-standing cooperation between the National Human Rights Centre and the ICRC.

Among the most significant joint projects, he cited the publication in 2014 of the teaching manual "International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law," as well as the presentation in December 2024 of a transliterated version of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols in the Uzbek Latin alphabet.

Biljana Milosevic, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for Central Asia, thanked the National Human Rights Centre for its long-term and consistent partnership, highlighting its significant contribution to integrating international humanitarian law into national practice.

She stressed the importance of engaging younger generations through the preparation, translation and publication of specialised literature, as well as educational programmes for students, teachers and young professionals.

Milosevic said promoting international humanitarian law is one of the ICRC's core priorities. While the organisation continues to provide humanitarian assistance in areas affected by armed conflict, she said raising awareness of international humanitarian law during peacetime is equally important.

In this context, cooperation with Uzbekistan's National Human Rights Centre serves as a successful example of consistent and effective work in this field.

The 2026–2027 Action Plan provides for joint activities in four key areas: publishing; scientific, educational and public awareness events; improvement of legislation and law enforcement practice in international humanitarian law; and the establishment of a specialised international humanitarian law office at the National Human Rights Centre to serve as a permanent platform for training, academic exchange and knowledge sharing.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to fully and promptly implementing the measures set out in the Action Plan, expressing confidence that its implementation will strengthen cooperation, promote international humanitarian law and advance humanitarian education in Uzbekistan.