On November 30, 2020, the European Commission granted Uzbekistan the status of a beneficiary country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+).

It should be noted that GSP+ is based on international values ​​and principles, in particular human and labor rights, to help developing countries reduce poverty and create jobs. In particular, the main countries that allocate funds under this program are the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in particular, the USA, the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.

To implement the GSP+ system, the beneficiary country must ratify and effectively implement core 27 international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance.

Therefore, it is advisable to accept the status of Uzbekistan as a beneficiary of the GSP + system, primarily as an international recognition of the reforms being carried out in our country.

During the talks, the parties touched upon the comprehensive reforms being implemented in the field of human rights within the framework of the Action Strategy on the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021. This historical document is aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving the judicial system, liberalizing punishment, ensuring gender equality, preventing torture, and also noted the significant work done to provide another opportunity for misguided people to rectify on the basis of the principle of humanism and adapt them to society.

The issues of continuous improvement of the legal status of the institution of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman) over the past years, expansion of its activities and powers in ensuring human rights were also discussed.

Press Service of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)