Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In 2024, a total of 52 children who had been deprived of parental care abroad were successfully repatriated to Uzbekistan, according to Dilnoza Yusupova, Head of the Press Service of the Children’s Rights Ombudsperson, the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Children's Rights.

Throughout the year, the Secretariat of the Children's Ombudsperson received 1,064 appeals from individuals and legal entities, including children and their legal representatives, regarding violations of children's rights and legitimate interests. Of these, 469 were submitted during in-person visits to the Secretariat, and 160 were received during personal meetings with the Ombudsperson.

Additional appeals were submitted via various channels: 201 by post, 68 through the Presidential Virtual Reception, 187 via email, and 139 through the online platform murojaat.gov.uz. Notably, 44 appeals (4.1%) were submitted by the children themselves. Among all appeals, 61.4% came from girls and 38.6% from boys.

The vast majority of appeals—1,049—were submitted by Uzbek citizens. In addition, seven came from foreign citizens and seven from the Office of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Russian Federation.

Out of the total appeals, 898 were placed under the direct supervision of the Ombudsperson for Children’s Rights, and 93 were forwarded to relevant authorities. Of those under supervision, 283 were resolved positively, 545 received legal guidance, and 70 are still under review.

As for the content of the appeals:

43.4% related to personal rights and freedoms of children,

41% to social rights,

4.3% to economic and environmental rights,

11.3% to other categories of children’s rights.

Specifically, 15.5% concerned the right to a family environment, 7% to education, 6% to alimony, and 5.8% involved violations of children’s rights by government bodies and other institutions.

Geographically, the highest number of appeals came from Tashkent (366), Tashkent region (139), and Kashkadarya region (105). The lowest numbers were recorded in the Republic of Karakalpakstan (14) and Navoi region (27).

In response to the violations, the Ombudsperson sent 981 official inquiries to various government agencies, including:

232 to the National Agency for Social Protection,

201 to the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

135 to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education,

124 to the General Prosecutor’s Office, and others.

As a result of monitoring and official inquiries, 18 administrative and 14 criminal cases were initiated concerning child abuse. These included cases under Articles 118, 129, 121, 126, 104, 117, and 137 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, and Articles 120 and 121 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan.

To prevent further abuse, four child protection orders were issued. Two law enforcement officers were held disciplinarily accountable for abusive conduct, and six educators faced administrative penalties for professional negligence and physical abuse. Employment contracts with five of them were terminated, while 22 others faced disciplinary action for mistreatment.

In cases involving bullying, one student was transferred to online learning, another was offered a school transfer, and one was moved to a different class. In four cases, mothers were held administratively responsible for their children’s offenses.

Four children received medical examinations, and two were provided with necessary medications. Ten children were appointed legal guardians and one received a custodian. The "Inson" Social Services Center reviewed 87 cases to assess children’s social and psychological well-being. Three children were issued biometric passports for travel, while three others received birth certificates.

In addition, one mother was granted access to visit her child, and four children were reunited with their parents. Three children were enrolled in educational institutions, two from low-income families received social benefits, and one child had their education expenses covered.

Five unsupervised children were returned to their mothers’ care, and one child was granted inheritance rights to a residence. Ultimately, 52 children deprived of parental care abroad were successfully brought back to Uzbekistan.