Uzbekistan Strengthens Child Protection Rights Framework

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan has reviewed in the first reading a draft law aimed at further strengthening the system for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of children, as well as improving the effectiveness of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

The bill was introduced by a group of deputies as a legislative initiative and provides for the expansion of cooperation mechanisms between state bodies and the Children’s Ombudsman in cases involving offenses against minors.

Under the draft law, law enforcement agencies will be required to inform the Commissioner for Children’s Rights upon receiving information about crimes committed against children, as well as when decisions are made to initiate or refuse to initiate criminal proceedings. The measure is expected to ensure more comprehensive protection of children’s rights at all stages of legal proceedings.

A separate set of initiatives focuses on strengthening parliamentary oversight. The proposal seeks to grant the Children’s Ombudsman the authority to participate in relevant procedures and exempt the office from paying state duties when filing civil and administrative claims in the interests of a child.

The draft law also introduces provisions establishing liability for obstructing the Ombudsman’s activities, clarifies the procedure for its election, and regulates the review of its annual report by parliament. In addition, it requires mandatory coordination with the Ombudsman’s office for draft regulatory legal acts affecting children’s rights.

Following the discussion, deputies supported the draft law in the first reading, noting its importance in strengthening guarantees for the protection of children’s rights and developing the institution of the Children’s Ombudsman in Uzbekistan.