Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (URC), Uzbekistan was presented as a leading country that implements the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council within the framework of the UPR.

The special event, held in a hybrid format on 25 March, was organized by the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights together with the country’s representative office in Geneva and the international non-governmental organization UPR info.

The event was attended by permanent representatives to the UN in Geneva of Azerbaijan, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, Sierra Leone, France, Switzerland, representatives of international organizations UNFPA, UNDP.

The meeting participants were welcomed by the Chairman of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), Ambassador Omar Zniber. The moderator was Mona M’Bikay, Executive Director of UPR info. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, took part in the event and spoke.

Ambassador Omar Zniber stressed that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique global peer review mechanism for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in a spirit of cooperation, while at the same time efforts should be intensified to implement accepted recommendations and provide technical assistance to Member States according to their requests. According to the President of the UN Human Rights Council, since the UPR recommendations also reflect the views of human rights treaty bodies and special procedures mandate holders, the UPR mechanism itself is intended to strengthen the national system for the protection of human rights.

During the event, it was noted that Uzbekistan reaffirms its full commitment to the UPR process as a unique mechanism for the exchange of best practices in the field of promotion and protection of human rights between partner countries and other interested parties.

“We recognize that universal periodic review obligations are voluntary on the part of governments and must be respected where they are implemented at the national level based on the principle of good faith,” A. Saidov said during his speech.

He noted that Uzbekistan has always had a positive attitude towards the consideration of UPR recommendations, since the Universal Periodic Review is a practical process through which each country can improve the human rights situation and publicly announce the results of its efforts to fulfill its obligations in this area.

Moreover, it is through the consistent work of the UPR that best practices in the field of human rights are disseminated throughout the world. Currently, there are no other effective universal mechanisms of this kind on a global scale.

Today, the country is actively working with all stakeholders to optimally implement the recommendations made within the UPR regarding the consideration of its national reports, confirming the need for close interaction in the field of human rights between the government, parliament, the expert community, and civil society.

Uzbekistan is unwavering in its desire to bring national legislation and law enforcement practice into line with international human rights standards. The new Uzbekistan puts human rights first through its effective reforms affecting the political, legal and socio-economic aspects of the country’s life.

During the event, presentations were also made by the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Consuelo Vidal Bruce and the director of the UN Development Program office in Geneva Agi Veres. The UN OHCHR Regional Representative for Central Asia, M. Bogner, as well as permanent representatives to the UN in Geneva from France, Sierra Leone and Kyrgyzstan spoke at the discussions.

The first national report of Uzbekistan within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review was considered on 11 March 2009. In doing so, the country helped establish the framework for the Universal Periodic Review in 2005, thus gaining more than 18 years of practical experience in this regard.