Uzbekistan Senate Strengthens Protection of Children’s Rights

Uzbekistan's Senate has bolstered safeguards for children's rights through the passage of new legislation. During its 18th plenary session, the Oliy Majlis Senate gave its approval to a law that modifies and expands upon several existing legislative acts within Uzbekistan.

This new legislation aims to enhance the mechanisms in place for protecting human rights and freedoms, with a particular focus on the rights of children. It also provides regulatory frameworks for the operations of both the general Ombudsman and the Children's Ombudsman, as confirmed by the Oliy Majlis Senate of Uzbekistan.

Among the changes introduced by the law are amendments designed to increase accountability for interfering with the legitimate duties of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights, commonly referred to as the Ombudsman.

Further amendments address parliamentary procedures concerning the activities of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Children’s Rights, or the Children’s Ombudsman. Specifically, these provisions grant the Children's Ombudsman a more significant role in legal proceedings involving offenses committed by minors, during court hearings, and in the execution of criminal sentences.

Additionally, the amendments seek to elevate the accountability of officials when they are reviewing documents that are part of the Ombudsman's available measures.

According to senators, this law is expected to improve the functioning of local representative bodies of state authority and reinforce the mechanisms designed to protect human rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests, including those pertaining to children.

Following its deliberation, the law received the senators' approval.