Distinguished Chairperson! Distinguished High Commissioner for Human Rights! Dear Heads of delegations! Ladies and gentlemen! It is a great honor and privilege for me to speak at the UN Human Rights Council session this year, which marks th...
Distinguished Chairperson! Distinguished High Commissioner for Human Rights! Dear Heads of delegations! Ladies and gentlemen! It is a great honor and privilege for me to speak at the UN Human Rights Council session this year, which marks the 45th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 40th anniversary of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Human Rights 75 Initiative Last year international community has marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights. The universal importance of human rights has been amply demonstrated over the past 75 years of the Universal Declaration. Sustainable development, peace and security are all impossible without this. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”. This profound statement reminds us of the fundamental link between human rights, democracy, peace and security. Marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Uzbekistan has become an active participant in global commemorative events. Moreover, the National program for the widespread celebration of the Universal Declaration was approved by the President of Uzbekistan. As part of this effort, various events are being organized, including International Forum on Youth Rights with the participation of youth from Central Asian. The Forum resulted in the adoption of the Central Asian Declaration on Youth Rights, which is being submitted to OHCHR as part of the High-level event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have made significant progress in our cooperation with UN human rights structures over the past short period of time. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk conducted official visit to the country in March of last year. Following the visit, the Parliament adopted the Roadmap containing concrete measures to implement the High Commissioner's recommendations. Last November, the UPR Working Group of the UN HRC reviewed Fourth periodical report of Uzbekistan. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Member States and OHCHR for their constructive co-operation and the recommendations provided. New Uzbekistan and Human Rights New Uzbekistan prioritizes human rights at the heart of its reforms, impacting political, legal, and socio-economic aspects. Uzbekistan is committed to maintaining close cooperation with the UN Member States and all international partners in order to promote the United Nations initiative “A Call to Action for Human Rights”. We express our gratitude for the active support of the international initiatives of Uzbekistan on the adoption of resolution of the UN General Assembly “Central Asia Facing Environmental Challenges: Fostering Regional Solidarity for Sustainable Development and Prosperity", as well as the resolution of the Human Rights Council on “Ensuring quality education for peace and tolerance for every child”. I would like to inform you about the priorities for further deepening reforms in the field of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Uzbekistan. Last year in April, Uzbekistan marked a historic milestone by conducting its first national referendum on the new Constitution, which determined the priorities of national development. The New Constitution outlines the “five pillars” that characterize the New Uzbekistan: sovereign, democratic, legal, social and secular state, defining the path of development and the future of the country, which “will never change.” The human rights provisions in our new Constitution are fully in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments. We are grateful to the OHCHR for their comments and suggestions on improving the new Constitution. The Constitution confirms commitment to the principles of human rights, freedom of speech and conscience, as well as the equality of all citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity, language, or religion. Uzbekistan has formally prohibited the use of the death penalty in its recently adopted new Constitution. Our country advocates the abolition of the death penalty, including through active work at the global and regional level, in particular, at the UN Human Rights Council. Notably. We supported the initiative to transform the Central Asian countries and Mongolia to become a region entirely free from the use of capital punishment. Internationally recognized institutions of jurisprudence as the Miranda Warnings and Habeas Corpus are consolidated at the constitutional level. The Pro bono institute, which provides free legal assistance has been granted constitutional status. Notably, for the first time, the Constitution guarantees the right to approach both international and national human rights bodies. Furthermore, it firmly establishes the status of national human rights institutions within the constitutional level (article 56), setting a precedent in the Asian region. The new Constitution for the first time enshrines the institution of constitutional complaints from citizens. Uzbekistan is actively fulfilling its international commitments by enhancing access to justice for its citizens and reforming its legal and judicial frameworks. A short-term Strategy for raising the judicial system and Action Plan were approved. In recent years, we have achieved substantial results in the human rights protection in Uzbekistan. Forced and child labor has been completely abolished in our country. Particularly, the complete eradication of forced and child labor has been achieved. The new Constitution of the country now not only ensures the prohibition of child and forced labor but also institutes criminal liability for...