In the first nine months of 2024, the Ombudsman received 14,172 appeals from citizens of Uzbekistan, foreign nationals, other ombudsmen, stateless persons, public organizations, and other legal entities. According to established procedures, 40 appeals were classified as anonymous.
Analysis of Appeals
Topics: 27.2% of appeals concerned social issues, 24.7% economic issues, 17.2% personal rights, 13.6% rights of persons in detention, 10.5% civil rights and the right to appeal, 1% children's rights, 1% environmental rights, and 4.5% other issues.
Gender Distribution: 44.3% of appeals were submitted by women, and 55.7% by men.
Regional Distribution: The highest number of appeals came from Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions and Tashkent city, while the lowest was from Navoi and Syrdarya regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Activities and Actions
Taken The Ombudsman and Secretariat staff organized 75 on-site receptions across the republic.
Enforcement Measures: 103 documents were issued by the Ombudsman to state organizations or officials to restore citizens' rights.
Financial Recoveries: Over 2.414 billion UZS were collected or are due to be collected, including 1.061 billion UZS related to wages and labor relations.
770.275 million UZS were recovered in cases involving debt, health damage, material and moral damages, and other payments owed to citizens.
286.477 million UZS in alimony was recovered for minor children. Eight individuals evading alimony were held administratively liable, and five criminal cases were initiated.
18.4 million UZS in utility debts were settled, and 51 million UZS in fines were canceled.
Five citizens were recognized as eligible for housing privatization, while two had asset and bank card freezes lifted.
In one case, a court ruling restored land to its original state, while in another, the Tashkent City Administration filed a claim to return illegally constructed buildings to their original condition. Two illegal construction projects were also halted based on citizens’ appeals.
Through the Ombudsman’s assistance, about 50 jobs were saved, and five citizens were assisted in finding employment. Seven officials were dismissed for labor law violations, four were held administratively liable, and nine received disciplinary warnings. In five cases, the Ombudsman ensured the cessation of employers’ unlawful actions against employees.
The State Labor Inspectorate, upon the Ombudsman’s request, filed five claims in court for job reinstatement and wage recovery.
Additional Actions Based on Citizen Appeals
Social Support: The right to a pension was secured for five citizens, while three women received child benefits.
Disability Support: Five people with disabilities were assisted in establishing their disability status and received social support, while 13 citizens were added to the “Women’s” and “Youth” registers for social aid.
Healthcare: 20 citizens received medical examination and treatment referrals, with 70.3 million UZS allocated to cover treatment costs.
Judicial and Law Enforcement Involvement. In six cases, prosecutorial authorities overturned investigators’ decisions to close criminal cases, ordering further investigation.
Based on the Ombudsman’s recommendations, criminal cases were opened in two cases related to moderate and severe bodily harm resulting from domestic violence and negligence.
Disciplinary and Administrative Measures. Five citizens were held administratively liable under Articles 41, 52, and 198-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Uzbekistan.
One criminal case under Article 169, Part 1, of the Criminal Code was dismissed, while an appeal overturned a lower court’s decision under Article 246.
Disciplinary Actions in State and Law Enforcement Agencies
Prosecutors opened criminal cases against three officials, 28 were held disciplinarily liable, with seven dismissed and four held administratively liable.
Three law enforcement officers faced criminal charges, 10 were disciplined, and three were dismissed for poor performance.
Environmental Law Violations
In two cases of environmental law violations, offenders were administratively liable under Article 109, Part 1, of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
The next briefing will report on the Ombudsman’s activities in identifying and preventing cases of torture.
Press Service of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)
