On 10 December 1948 the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a historic milestone in the evolution of our common understanding, and affirmation, of values we deem inviolable: that all human beings are born free and with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms!

The Declaration, for the first time, set out universal human rights for all people in an individual context, thanks to extraordinary vision and determination of the drafters. Now available in more than 360 languages (including the Uzbek language), the Declaration is the most translated document in the world -- a testament to its universal nature and reach. It has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies.

The UN launched a year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2007. The entire UN family will take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration’s ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. UNDP Uzbekistan also plans to support and organize various events to contribute to commemoration of the anniversary of the Declaration.

Over 60 chairpersons of the Women Councils of Yunusabad district participated in the roundtable on the theme “Women’s rights within framework of Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. The event focused to inform representatives of mahallas (neighbourhoods) with the clauses of the declaration and other international agreements, as well as national legislation on human rights. The Women Councils under mahallas play an important role in promotion of women’s rights in local level.

Akmal Saidov, director of National Human Rights Center, said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the first international documents, which Uzbekistan ratified after it gained independence. He noted the importance of the declaration and other international agreements on human rights.

UNDP supported the event through its projects “Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women’s Empowerment in Uzbekistan” (CEDAW project) and “Development of Capacities of the National Human Rights Institutions in Uzbekistan” (Human Rights project).

The CEDAW project is aimed at supporting and building the capacity of the government, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps via raising awareness of and implementing the recommendations of the UN CEDAW Committee to Uzbekistan. It is envisaged to achieve the goal via building the capacity of researchers, improving their professionalism in conducting of scientific and sociological research on gender issues.

The main objective of the Human Rights project is to strengthen capacities of the national human rights institutions and relevant bodies to effectively fulfil their mandates for promotion and protection of human rights in Uzbekistan. The project focuses primarily on activities relating to human rights matters that form part of the mandate and day-to-day work of operational national human rights institutions, which would consequently improve the promotion and protection of human rights.