The high-level session of the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, which began in the capital on September 28, transitioned into an anniversary session themed "From International Obligations to Effective Implementation: The Role of National Implementation Mechanisms in the Field of Human Rights." This event was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.
Presentations were heard from Robakhon Mahmudova, Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Gulrukh Agzamova, Chair of the Committee on Democratic Institutions and Civil Society Development of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis; Vasip Şahin, President of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey; Suchart Setthamalinee, National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand; Ertunç Erkan Balta, Ombudsman of the Republic of Turkey; Mohammed Bin Saif al-Kuwairi, Vice Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of Qatar, Member of Asia Pacific Forum Governance Committee; Jala Azizova, Regional Legal Coordinator for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the International Committee of the Red Cross; Temur Shakirov, Europe and Central Asia Director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ); and Azamat Shambilov, President of the Center for International Development and Justice.
The discussions also featured addresses by Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and President of the National Human Rights Council of Morocco; Jiang Jianguo, Executive Vice President of the China Society for Human Rights Studies; Yana Lantratova, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation; Anvar Sabirov, Head of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Marie-Eve Boyer-Friedrich, Human Rights Officer for the Treaty Body Capacity Building Programme (Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division) at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Gianni Magazzeni, Chair of the Executive Board of the international NGO "UPR Info".
As the participants noted, 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Over the past three decades, the National Center has played a leading role in promoting international human rights standards, ensuring compliance with Uzbekistan’s international obligations, strengthening cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, and advancing education, research, and institutional development in the field of human rights.
This anniversary offers a significant opportunity to assess the role and contribution of national institutions and National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRFs) in the effective practical application of international obligations. In this context, it is fitting that the meeting—while marking the 30th anniversary of the National Centre—has also become a vital platform for discussing the growing role of NMIRFs in implementing international human rights obligations.
Discussions focused primarily on inter-agency coordination, national mechanisms, and best international practices. Participants acknowledged that the dynamic dialogue within the Forum contributes meaningfully to developing practical solutions for strengthening the implementation of human rights standards at the national level, advancing the right to development, and fostering global solidarity in addressing contemporary challenges.
An award ceremony for the winners of the "Capstone Project Uzbekistan" human rights education program was also held as part of the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights. Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Uzbekistan Martin Van Buuren; and President of the Center for International Development and Justice Azamat Shambilov, presented the awards to the winners.
Press Service of the National Center of the
Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights