Main task of consular establishments is to protect interests of citizens and legal entities of Uzbekistan abroad, and provide consular-legal assistance to them and adopt measures to protect their rights.

In nine months of 2012, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 1,080 applications on issues related to protection of rights and interests both in Uzbekistan and abroad. They were considered and corresponding measures were adopted to protect rights of citizens.

In order to protect interest of labour migrants and prevent violations, committed by Uzbek citizens abroad, and decrease terms of affirming identity of the citizens, who lost their passports, the ministry developed order on issue of necessary to issue identity documents by interior bodies. It allows to solve issues related on returning citizens to home in timely manner.

The consular institutions of Uzbekistan carry out targeted work on prevention of law violations by the citizens of Uzbekistan. In particular, the consular bodies explain rules and laws of the country to citizens and provide legal and practical aid to protect their rights.

The consular establishments of Uzbekistan also inspect sentences and arrest conditions of citizens to ensure that they are treated in line with the legislation. The consular institutes work with foreign bodies on transfer of jailed persons to prisons of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan created legal base in protection of labour migrants, who work in Uzbekistan. But, still there are several citizens, who illegally leave Uzbekistan to earn money and sometimes they became victims of human trafficking.

Diplomatic missions and consular establishments of Uzbekistan work on assisting human trafficking victims and help them to return home safely.

In nine months of 2012, the diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan helped 54 citizens, who were victims of human trafficking, to return home.

The report said that currently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and its consular establishments are adopting complex measures on rendering assistance to citizens of Uzbekistan in protection of their rights, freedoms and legal interests.