The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis (National Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan, co-hosted the International Conference titled “Interaction and Cooperation in the Field of Reliable Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.” The event took place on 23 February 2023 in Samarkand.
The Conference was opened by Ombudsperson Ms. Feruza Eshmatova, followed by high-level speakers including Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Mr. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Ms. Matilda Dimovska, Resident Representative of UNDP Uzbekistan, Mr. Stephen Nix, Senior Regional Director for Eurasia at the International Republican Institute; and Mr. Hans-Ullrich Ihm, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.
During their opening remarks, speakers highlighted the crucial role of the Ombudsperson in protecting the country’s democratic progress and human rights of Uzbekistan’s citizens.
The Conference provided a platform to discuss national and international mechanisms for protecting the rights of women and youth, the Ombudsperson’s interaction with state bodies and representatives of civil society, and compliance with international standards in ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities as well as of persons held in places of detention and with limited freedom of movement.
Government officials of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of national human rights institutions from a number of OSCE participating States and two OSCE Partners for Co-operation took part in the event, including online.Hans-Ullrich Ihm, the Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator, underscoring the fruitful co-operation with the Ombudsperson, assured that the OSCE will continue to provide expert and technical assistance to improve the protection of human rights in the country, and looks forward to strengthening co-operation in this field.
source: osce
