International child protection standards discussed
On October 23, 2026, a seminar dedicated to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) was held at the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights. During the event, international standards for the protection of children from sexual violence, issues of improving national mechanisms for preventing such crimes, as well as legal and institutional aspects of a possible […]
International Standards of Child Protection Discussed
On October 23, 2026, a seminar dedicated to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) was held at the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.
The event reviewed international standards for protecting children from sexual violence, issues of improving national mechanisms for preventing such crimes, as well as legal and institutional aspects of Uzbekistan's potential accession to this international treaty.
The seminar was organized by the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights jointly with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Children's Rights (Children's Ombudsman) in cooperation with the Council of Europe and UNICEF in Uzbekistan.
The event was attended by deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, representatives of the Children's Ombudsman institution, the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor's Office, the National Agency for Social Protection, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Education and Science, Health, Employment and Poverty Reduction, as well as representatives of the legal community and specialized educational institutions.
The main objective of the seminar was to familiarize participants with the key provisions of the Lanzarote Convention and international standards for preventing sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, as well as to discuss the necessary legal, institutional, and procedural conditions for Uzbekistan's possible accession to the Convention.
Welcoming remarks were delivered to the participants by Orzigul Kozikhonova, Chairperson of the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Youth, Women, Culture, and Sports; Suraye Rakhmonova, Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Children's Rights; Dilnoza Muratova, Deputy Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; and Antonia Luedeke, Head of the Child Protection Programme at UNICEF in Uzbekistan.
Protecting the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of children, ensuring their safety, and preventing all forms of violence against minors are among the priority areas of state policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In recent years, national legislation has been consistently improved in the country, institutional child protection mechanisms have been strengthened, measures to prevent violence are being taken, and international cooperation in this field is expanding.
In particular, the study of the Lanzarote Convention is provided for by the Action Plan for 2026–2027 on the Implementation of the Strategy for Protecting Children from All Forms of Violence, approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. UP-256 dated December 24, 2025.
The Lanzarote Convention is one of the key international legal instruments in the field of protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. It provides a comprehensive approach covering crime prevention, protection and support for child victims, criminal prosecution of perpetrators, as well as the strengthening of national mechanisms and international cooperation.
In the main program of the seminar, Dilnoza Rakhmatjonova, a leading specialist of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, presented a report titled "Uzbekistan's Accession to International Human Rights Instruments Concerning Children's Rights: Achievements and Further Prospects."
Ekaterina Malareva, Legal Adviser to the Secretariat of the Lanzarote Convention of the Council of Europe, presented an overview of the main provisions of the Convention and the activities of the Lanzarote Committee, paying attention to international standards and practical mechanisms for protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
During the thematic sessions, issues of criminal law response to crimes against the sexual integrity of children were considered, including measures regarding persons who committed such crimes and approaches to their rehabilitation. Special attention was paid to the organization of judicial proceedings taking into account the age, interests, and needs of the child, ensuring victims' access to necessary assistance and support, as well as measures to prevent sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of minors.
A separate block of discussions was devoted to the coordination of activities of competent state bodies, the development of international cooperation in the field of child protection, procedures for states' accession to the Lanzarote Convention, and the practical advantages of participating in it.
Within the framework of the discussion, priority preparatory measures that may be required for the country's potential accession to the international treaty were discussed.
Following the seminar, recommendations were formulated to improve national legislation and the practice of its application.
The seminar marked an important step in studying international child protection standards and determining prospects for further strengthening national mechanisms to ensure children's rights, safety, and best interests.