15 April 2020 marked the day of video conference between three prominent advocates of the human rights: Mr. Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights of Uzbekistan, Mr. Richard Komenda, Head of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asian, and Ms. Helen Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

Three stalwarts of human rights discussed the human rights implications of the current state of affairs during coronavirus pandemic.

Notably, strictly necessary, but at the same time effective, proportionate to the threat, the measures taken by the Government of Uzbekistan to combat the spread of coronavirus and reduce the inevitable impact on human rights, especially the rights of those most vulnerable - children, women, migrants and prisoners were discussed.

It was noted that the effectiveness of anti-crisis measures taken by States largely depends on the exchange of reliable information on a regular basis, as well as on the experience of the participation of national human rights institutions in countering COVID-19.

Concurrently, the parties discussed in detail the draft National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights, which was prepared within the framework of the tasks defined in the Address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Parliament. The document will be an important step towards ensuring human rights and freedoms within the framework of effective implementation of the Republic of Uzbekistan's international obligations in the field of human rights.

It should be noted that the draft National Strategy was discussed in the framework of national consultations, and comments and suggestions were received from the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Specialized Agencies in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA), as well as the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and others.

During the National consultations on the project, representatives of civil society, state bodies and the diplomatic corps presented their proposals. Taking into account these suggestions and comments, the project was finalized and re-posted on the Center’s website for public discussion.

During the videoconference, the parties discussed further steps to improve the draft National Strategy, as well as prepare recommendations on the draft Voluntary National Review of Uzbekistan on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

National Centre
of the Republic of Uzbekistan
for Human Rights