The event was attended by the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Feruza Eshmatova, Director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov, experts from the Secretariat of the Authorized Person for Human Rights, representatives of public organizations, teachers, students and the media. 

The focus of the event is the reforms being implemented within the framework of the Strategy for Action to Ensure Human Rights in the Country, the expansion of the Ombudsman's powers and mechanisms for considering appeals, including the fight against torture.

In recent years, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, large-scale reforms are being carried out for the benefit of our people. As a result of these reforms, the foundations of our national statehood were strengthened, the well-being of every citizen and family, the rule of law, rights and freedoms and human interests were ensured.

Today in our country, communication with the people is defined as a priority criterion for state and public activity. Great convenience has been created for citizens to contact government agencies. The People's Receptions under the President were launched, and each organization learned to receive and listen to citizens.

During the round table, director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov noted that Uzbekistan's human rights policy is recognized by the international community, and Uzbekistan's membership in the UN Human Rights Council is a historic event.

The event was also dedicated to the elimination of child labor in the country, the appointment of the Deputy Authorized Person for Human Rights (Ombudsman) - Authorized Person for the Rights of the Child and his significance.

Speaking at the event, Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Feruza Eshmatova spoke about the work done in recent years to ensure the full protection of human rights and freedoms. In particular, it was noted that human rights have a priority in more than 70 laws adopted last year as part of the Action Strategy for five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021.

It was noted that 98 Syrian citizens, mainly women and children, were brought to our country as part of Operation Mehr-3 in order to reliably protect the constitutional rights of citizens of Uzbekistan, wherever they are.

In 2020, 512 citizens were pardoned by the relevant decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 316 of them were released from penitentiary institutions, 196 of their sentences were commuted. Their unintentional mistakes are forgiven, and they have the opportunity to return to a healthy life.

In her speech, the Ombudsman noted that since the adoption of the Action Strategy, year after year, great progress has been made in protecting human rights and interests. Also, in his speech at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan emphasized that within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, any forms of torture that humiliate human dignity and are inhuman. will no longer be allowed, he noted that this task is reflected in the President's Address to Parliament and the State Program for 2021 "Year of Support for Youth and Public Health".

The legal framework for the Ombudsman's activities was strengthened, the powers of the Ombudsman were expanded and the National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture was created under the Ombudsman, establishing public oversight of the observance of human rights in prisons, places of detention and other closed institutions.

It should be noted that the national preventive mechanism is not only a guarantee of the effectiveness of the fight against torture, but also a factor that serves to enhance the image of our country in the international arena.

According to the Ombudsman, during the first quarter of this year, a group of experts consisting of members of the public working under the National Preventive Mechanism conducted about 25 monitoring visits to places of detention of persons with disabilities. In the course of the study, group meetings with more than a thousand prisoners and individual interviews with 217 prisoners were carried out. It should be noted that during this period the Ombudsman received 57 complaints from convicts and prisoners and their close relatives. Of course, these applicants will visit during the monitoring visits to find out to what extent the problem has been resolved.

The round table was full of questions and answers in the form of free communication. The Authorized Person for Human Rights of the Oliy Majlis answered in detail the questions of students. Thanks to this round table, the participants learned a lot about the powers of the Ombudsman and the appeals she receives, about international and national experience in the field of human rights, and suggested holding such meetings on a regular basis.

Press Service of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis

 for Human Rights (Ombudsman)