UN Human Rights Regional Representative concludes visit to Uzbekistan, highlighting progress and remaining challenges

“While gaps remain in particular in ensuring an open and enabling civic space, Uzbekistan has taken a number of steps in meeting its human rights obligations. Our discussions this week reaffirmed the value of open dialogue and joint action with government, parliament, civil society and international partners to ensure Uzbekistan's commitments translate into lasting change,” Ms. Bogner said at the conclusion of her visit.

During the mission, Ms. Bogner met with the Chairperson of the Senate, Ms. Tanzila Narbayeva, to discuss the role of parliament in advancing international treaty commitments, promoting gender equality, and protecting survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. 

She held talks with Prof. Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Human Rights Center, focusing on Uzbekistan’s National Human Rights Strategy, progress in implementing recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and ongoing cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms.

A meeting with Minister of Justice Mr. Akbar Tashkulov addressed issues of civic space, including registration of NGOs. Ms. Bogner also engaged with First Deputy Minister of Economy & Finance Mr. Ilkhom Norqulov, discussing fiscal policy towards NGOs and the importance of creating a supportive taxation framework for civil society organizations.

Discussions with First Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Mr. Obidjon Qudratov, focused on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, following Uzbekistan’s recent ratification of the Aarhus Convention.

The visit included a roundtable with civil society organizations, where participants shared concerns and recommendations about taxation, registration, and restrictions affecting the environment for NGOs. Ms. Bogner underlined OHCHR’s commitment to supporting constructive dialogue between state institutions and civil society actors.

On 25 September, Ms. Bogner joined a donor briefing to present a new joint programme by UN Human Rights, UN Women, and the OSCE, focused on strengthening justice responses to domestic violence.

The mission concluded with a national workshop on the preparation of Uzbekistan’s mid-term report under the UPR. Organized jointly with the National Human Rights Center, the event brought together government officials, civil society, and international partners to assess progress and challenges in implementing UPR recommendations.