Core document forming part of the reports of States parties

Uzbekistan *

[Date received: 3 November 2015]

Working group for the preparation of the core document forming part of the reports of States parties

A. Saidov, Director of the National Centre for Human Rights, Doctor of Legal Sciences and Professor

F. Bakaeva, Head of the Human Rights Analysis and Research Department

K. Arslanova, Principal Consultant, Human Rights Analysis and Research Department

M. Karimov, Senior Specialist, Human Rights Analysis and Research Department

Sh. Amirov, Senior Specialist, Human Rights Analysis and Research Department

Contents

Page

Working group for the preparation of the core document forming part of the reports of States parties2

Introduction5

I.General information about the reporting State9

A.Demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of the State9

(a)Historical background9

(b)Population10

(c)Economy10

(d)Administration of justice 12

B.Constitutional, political and legal structure of the State18

(a)Legislative branch18

(b)Executive branch21

(c)Judicial branch22

(d)Electoral system23

II.General framework for the protection and promotion of human rights 24

C.Acceptance of international human rights norms24

(a)Ratification of main international human rights instruments24

(b)Ratification of other United Nations human rights treaties and related instruments25

(c)Ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions26

(d)Ratification of Geneva Conventions and other humanitarian treaties27

(e)Ratification of regional human rights conventions27

D.General legal framework for the protection of human rights at the national level28

(a)Legislative framework for the protection of human rights28

(b)State bodies that take decisions on human rights matters29

(c)Legal remedies for human rights violations31

(d)The place of international human rights treaties in national law33

(e)Reliance of judicial bodies on international human rights instruments33

(f)Recognition of the jurisdiction of regional human rights courts34

(g)Legal status and legal regulation of the activities of NGOs34

E.General framework for the promotion of human rights at the national level35

(a)The role of the Oliy Majlis in promoting and protecting human rights and implementing international human rights treaties35

(b)National human rights institutions36

(c)Dissemination and publication of human rights treaties 37

(d)Enhancement of the awareness of civil servants and law-enforcement officials38

(e)Study of human rights in educational institutions (schools, academic and vocational secondary schools, and universities)41

(f)Promotion of human rights awareness through the media42

(g)Role of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights43

F.Significance of the reporting process as a means for promoting human rights at the national level46

III.Implementation of substantive human rights provisions common to all or several treaties47

H.Non-discrimination and equality 47

Annexes50

Introduction

1.After gaining independence in 1991, the Republic of Uzbekistan abandoned an obsolete totalitarian and bureaucratic system, opting for its own “Uzbek model” of social progress and sustainable development.

2.The substance and content of the gradual implementation of the Uzbek development model consist in the introduction of political, economic, social and legal reforms based on the following five principles:

Stripping the economy of ideological bias, and giving the economy precedence over politics;

Assigning to the State the role of main reformer, namely the function of initiating and coordinating reforms;

Establishing the rule of law;

Carrying out a robust social policy;

Ensuring a gradual and evolving application of the democratic reforms pursued.

3.The Oliy Majlis (the parliament of Uzbekistan) adopted in November 2010 the Policy Outline on the further Strengthening of Democratic Reforms and the Development of Civil Society in Uzbekistan. That is the methodological framework for consolidating the Uzbek development model, which has led to a new stage of democratizing and modernizing the country and improving the system of protection of human rights and freedoms and the legitimate interests of persons.

4.The establishment of the above Policy Outline was followed by the adoption of the enactments and regulatory instruments described below.

5.First, amendments made to the Constitution of Uzbekistan in 2011 led to further development and implementation of the constitutional principle of the separation of powers and improved the balance of power among the branches of government, namely the President, the Oliy Majlis, the Government and the judiciary. That enhanced the function and importance of the Oliy Majlis in the system of State authorities and strengthened its role in the formulation and implementation of the State’s domestic and foreign policies. The powers of the Cabinet of Ministers and of the executive branch were broadened and the Government’s responsibility towards the Oliy Majlis, the local authorities of the State and the councils (kengashes) of peoples’ deputies.

6.Important institutional principles, such as the nomination of candidates for the office of Prime Minister by the political party with the greatest number of seats in the Legislative Chamber and the right of the Oliy Majlis to propose a motion of no confidence in the Government, were introduced into constitutional legislation. The enshrinement in the Constitution of the principles of parliamentary and public oversight, and of mechanisms for their application, were decisive steps towards democratic modernization of governance.

7.Second, far-reaching democratic reforms were carried out in the area of shaping and developing the electoral system; the democratic formation of the Central Electoral Commission and the basic rules for its activities were enshrined in the Constitution; and the guarantees for the independence of the entire system of authorities entrusted with organizing elections to legislative bodies were strengthened.

8.Third, a series of measures were taken to strengthen judicial oversight of respect for the citizens’ rights to due process during initial inquiries and other investigations. The gradual development of that highly effective mechanism for ensuring the rule of law and justice in criminal proceedings included broadening the scope of habeas corpus. Currently, removal from office and placement in a medical institution are possible only if authorized by a judge.

9.Measures were taken to improve the structure and streamline the activity of courts of general jurisdiction, enhance their staff capacity, and upgrade social welfare for court employees. The number of civil courts was increased and the qualifications required of candidates for judges’ posts were raised in order to ensure high quality and reduce the duration of proceedings.

10.Four, the democratic reform of the information sector and the establishment of guarantees for freedom of expression and information contributed to the realization of the citizens’ rights to obtain and disseminate information and to the autonomy and independence of the media and their role in the democratization process. The media sector has expanded. Since 1991, their overall number has increased 3.5 times, while the number of newspapers and magazines has increased, respectively, 2.5 and 3.5 times.

11.Five, the legal framework for the development of civil society institutions was considerably strengthened, and the autonomy and independence of the media were consolidated. Approximately 10 relevant enactments, including the Local Authorities Act (new version), the Social Partnership Act and other legal and regulatory instruments, significantly strengthened the role and importance of civil institutions in resolving the country’s key problems regarding social and economic development, promoting the people’s social involvement, and ensuring a balance of interests in society.

12.Six, the legal and regulatory instruments adopted in recent years have resulted in streamlining considerably the procedures for the registration of NGOs and for the organization of their activities and in improving the organizational and legal framework within which local authorities function. They fulfil a significantly upgraded role in the provision of legal assistance, the enhancement of the citizens’ political awareness, the work with young persons and women, the promotion of employment, and the support for vulnerable population groups. More than 8,100 NGOs, 1.6 times more than in 2010, are currently functioning in various areas of social life in the country.

13.Seven, the adoption of the Act on transparency in the work of State and administrative authorities by the Legislative Chamber was an original step that, in the experts’ opinion, singularly helped to develop new methods for drawing up and enacting high-quality legislation in line with current requirements.

14.Eight, special attention was paid to the democratization and liberalization of the economy and to the creation of effective support mechanisms for small business and private enterprise. Under the Act on procedures permitted in business activities, the Competition Act, the Free Enterprise Act (new version) and other enactments, the list and number of types of procedure necessary for obtaining a license to exercise an entrepreneurial activity were significantly reduced. In recent years, more than 160 (44 per cent) of such procedures were abolished and the number of types of activity subject to a license decreased. The number of types and the frequency of statistical, fiscal and financial reports that enterprises are expected to submit to the State authorities were reduced 1.5-2 times.

15.In general, the new legal and regulatory framework contributed considerably to the country’s steady social and economic development in the face of the ongoing financial and economic crisis affecting the world. In the last 10 years, Uzbekistan, with its industrial output, investment and real income rising dynamically, has been one of the few States with a GDP growth rate of at least 8 per cent.

16.Having signed the Millennium Declaration in 2000, Uzbekistan is successfully fulfilling its obligations towards attaining the MDGs. In particular:

Between 2001 and 2015, poverty was halved, declining from 27.5 per cent in to 13.7 per cent overall, and from 30.5 to 17.3 per cent in the rural and from 22.5 to 10.6 per cent in the urban areas;

In the period 2001-2013, the general secondary education coverage consistently ranged between 98 and 99.8 per cent. Transition to a two-tier system of compulsory secondary education raised the coverage of secondary specialized vocational education from 31.2 per cent in 2002 to 99.6 per cent in 2013;

Gender equality was attained in general secondary education and, in 2009, gender parity was achieved in colleges (vocational secondary schools). Women account for 45.7 per cent of the total number of employed workers. Women’s employment in the sector of small business and private enterprise and women’s participation in political decision-making grew significantly. Between 2005 and 2013, the proportion of women in the Oliy Majlis and the executive branch increased, respectively, from 19 and 3.4 per cent to 22 and 16 per cent;

Under-five mortality declined from 24.3 to 12 per 1,000 live births. The proportion of underweight children under 5 declined from 3.8 per cent in 2001 to 1.6 per cent in 2013;

Maternal mortality per 100,000 live births declined from 34.1 in 2001 to 20.0 in 2013;

As a result of combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the rate of propagation of HIV\AIDS was reduced; morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis declined substantially; and no new case of malaria was recorded in 2013;

The management of water and land resources improved, water losses were reduced and the quality of land resources was enhanced. Biological resources, ecosystems and their sustainable use are comprehensively preserved in protected nature areas;

Effective use has been made of opportunities for partnership with other countries in securing sustainable development and attaining the MDGs. In the period 2001-2013, the volume of grants and concessional loans increased substantially, and foreign trade expanded.

17.Uzbekistan is developing and improving a national system for gradual and progressive implementation of international standards regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms in the legislation and the law enforcement activities of State bodies. The country has established an effective model for reporting on the fulfilment of its international obligations in the sphere of human rights and freedoms to the United Nations treaty bodies and the Human Rights Council. More than 35 national reports have so far been submitted to the relevant United Nations bodies, and practically all of the United Nations committees that in recent years examined such periodic reports have noted their quality, content and informativeness.

18.The targets and method of implementing international norms regarding human rights and freedoms and the concluding observations and recommendations of United Nations treaty bodies are specified in national action plans based on the outcome of the consideration of the country’s national reports (on, inter alia, the rights of children and young persons, child labour, the rights of disabled persons, human trafficking, employment, health protection, and the development of education); and in annual State programmes for supporting vulnerable population groups and promoting the protection of all human rights and freedoms enshrined in the International Bill of Human Rights.

19.In 2014, a national plan of action was adopted in order to implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations treaty bodies following consideration of the national reports of Uzbekistan in the sphere of human rights, 2014-2016. The plan enshrines legislative, institutional, monitoring and educational measures for implementing such recommendations, formulated upon examination of the country’s Second National Report within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review; third and fourth national report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; two initial reports on the implementation of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; fourth national report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and fourth national report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

20.The annual State programmes approved by the President of Uzbekistan were crucial to social, economic and other support for vulnerable social groups. In particular, Uzbekistan declared 2011 “Year of Small Business and Enterprise”, 2012 “Year of the Family”, 2013 “Year of Well-being and Prosperity”, 2014 “Year of healthy children”, and 2015 “Year of Interest in and Concern for Older Persons”.

21.The State programme “Year of Interest in and Concern for Older Persons”, adopted by a Cabinet of Ministers decision of 18 February 2015, provides for a series of measures to raise the standard of living and quality of life, upgrade the legal framework so as to facilitate such action, strengthen specific social protection and support, and improve medical and social services for the persons concerned. An amount of 2,246.5 billion sum, equivalent to US$ 229.6 million, has been earmarked for the implementation of the programme.

22.The adoption of special State initiatives, such as the following one, is regarded as crucial to the practical application of legislation on human rights and freedoms:

State programme to further enhance overall reproductive health and protect the health of mothers, children and adolescents, 2014-2018;

National action plan for the implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions ratified by Uzbekistan, 2014-2016;

State programme against the propagation of HIV/AIDS, 2014-2016;

National plan of action to implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Council and United Nations treaty bodies following consideration of the national reports of Uzbekistan in the sphere of human rights, 2014-2016.

23.There is currently greater parliamentary oversight of compliance with international treaties on human rights and freedoms by way of monitoring exercises gauging adherence to international conventions ratified by the Oliy Majlis and through relevant parliamentary hearings, seminars and conferences.

24.This revised core document was prepared in 2015 on the basis of the guidelines for the introduction to reports of States parties under the six core international human rights instruments and the latest compilation of guidelines on the form and content of reports to be submitted by States parties to the international human rights treaties; and contains information to supplement the previous core document submitted in 2010. The structure corresponds to the suggestions contained in the guidelines. This document presents Uzbekistan in all its cultural, historical, political and legal diversity, including information on the land and the people, the political structure, the foundations of democratic society and the defence of human rights, information and communications, and effective legal remedies.

I.General information about the reporting State

A.Demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of the State

25.Uzbekistan is situated in Central Asia between the region’s two biggest rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. It borders Kazakhstan to the north and north-east, Turkmenistan to the south-west, Afghanistan to the south, Tajikistan to the south-east and Kyrgyzstan to the north-east. Approximately four fifths of Uzbekistan are made up of desert plains. The eastern and south-eastern regions include the hills and foothills of Tien Shan and the Gissar range. Within the Turan plate lie the Ustyurt plateau and the Amu Darya delta on the southern shore of the Aral Sea, and the huge Kyzylkum desert.

26.Uzbekistan has a total area of 447,400 square kilometres. The Republic of Uzbekistan comprises the Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 provinces and the city of Tashkent, 121 towns and 163 rural districts. As of 1 January 2015, Uzbekistan had a population of 31,022,500 inhabitants. The country’s capital is the city of Tashkent.

(a)Historical background

27.The first bits of historical information about the population of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, date to the middle of the first millennium before Christ (BC). In the sixth century BC, Central Asia was under the rule of the Persian dynasty of the Achaemenids. In the fourth century BC, Alexander the Great conquered the Achaemenid dynasty. After that, all or part of Uzbekistan belonged to a series of large ancient States: to the successors of Alexander the Great, the Seleucids (fourth and third centuries BC); the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom (third and second centuries BC); and the powerful middle-India Kushan Kingdom (first century BC to fourth century AD).

28.The formation of the Uzbek ethnic group, which has Turkic roots and is the eponymous nation, was influenced by various cultures and civilizations. The historical development of the Uzbeks took place in conditions of close contact and intermingling with Iranian peoples and culture.

29.In the eighth century, Central Asia, including the area occupied by Uzbekistan, was conquered by Arabs and was added to the possessions of the Arab Caliphate. The conquest was accompanied by the introduction of Islam. The new religion spread rapidly among the population, although the people held on to some of Zoroastrianism and certain other religions (Buddhism, Manichaeism, Nestorian Christianity). The spread of Islam resulted in that region becoming an area of Islamic civilization.

30.In the late ninth century, the reign of the Arabs was replaced by the rule of local dynasties. In the ninth through twelfth centuries, the states of the Samanids, the Karakhanids and the Seldzhukids existed in the territory of Uzbekistan.

31.In the early thirteenth century, Central Asia (along with Azerbaijan and Iran) belonged for a short period to the State of the Shahs of Khorezm, which ceased to exist after the attack of the hordes of Genghis Khan. Soon after, power shifted to the dynasty of the Temurids. That was the time of peak economic development and the flowering of the culture (the second half of the fourteenth century and the fifteenth century). Samarkand was the capital of the State of Amir Temur. The State of the Temurids in the Middle Ages consolidated an enormous territory, having created a unified legal and economic space. That epoch and the absolute monarchy that came about at the time may be regarded as the basis for the formation of the nationhood of Uzbekistan.

32.At the transition from the fifteenth century to the sixteenth century, the State of the Temurids was replaced by the State of the Shaybanids, who ruled through the sixteenth century. For nearly four centuries, from the sixteenth to the conquest of Central Asia by Russia in the second half of the nineteenth century, the territory of Uzbekistan was home to three Uzbek khanates: the Bukhara Khanate (an emirate beginning in the mid-eighteenth century), the Khivin Khanate and the Kokand Khanate.

33.In the second half of the nineteenth century, a large part of Central Asia, including modern Uzbekistan, was annexed to Russia. The Governorate-General of Turkestan was created.

34.After the revolution in Russia, in 1920, the Bukhara and Khorezm people’s soviet republics were formed.

35.In 1924, the national-state delimitation of Central Asia was effected. The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was formed on 27 October 1924. In the national delimitation, territories populated primarily by Uzbeks were included in the Uzbek SSR. The republic housed 82 per cent of the total number of Uzbeks living in the USSR; they constituted 76 per cent of the total population of the newly formed republic. Uzbekistan was part of the USSR for nearly 70 years, and the features of the demographic and socio-economic development of Uzbekistan were influenced by the processes characteristic of the Soviet Union.

36.The date 1 September 1991, when Uzbekistan declared its independent statehood, represented a crucial moment in the history of the country. On 31 August 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Uzbekistan had adopted a resolution on the declaration of the independent statehood of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Constitutional Act on the principles of the independent statehood of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

(b)Population

37.Most of the country’s population (more than 21 million) consists of Uzbeks, a Turkic-speaking people with an ancient, distinctive culture. Also living in the republic are a considerable number of representatives of other peoples, inter alia Kazakhs, Tajiks, Karakalpaks, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians, Koreans and Uighurs.

38.In anthropological terms, Uzbeks are a people of mixed origin, including both Europoid and Mongoloid components. Anthropologists classify Uzbeks as southern Europoids of the Central Asian Mesopotamian type. The Uzbek population of cities and ancient agricultural oases has a comparatively small mixture of Mongoloid features.

39. The State language in the Republic of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek language. The literary Uzbek language belongs to the Karluk group of the western branch of Turkic languages. One of the characteristic features of the Uzbek language is its profound historical link to the Tajik language. The Karakalpak language belongs to the Kipchak group of Turkic languages.

40.In terms of religious affiliation, believers among Uzbeks and Karakalpaks are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafite branch (school of jurisprudence). Typical of Islam in Uzbekistan, as in all of Central Asia, is the merging of orthodox Islam and Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, as well as the presence of pre-Islamic beliefs.

(c)Economy

41.The main task in ensuring the country’s further sustainable economic growth in 2015 is to mobilize all available reserves and opportunities in order to secure unconditional implementation of the approved medium-term structural adjustment programmes, accelerate the diversification of the various sectors of the economy, enhance their competitiveness and export capacity, remove all obstacles and constraints to the development of private enterprise and, ultimately, achieve a steady rise in employment and in the quality of life and standard of living of the country’s population.

42.The comprehensive measures taken in order to deal with the critical tasks and priorities of the 2015 economic programme have helped to deepen the transformation of the economy, maintain the favourable development of major macroeconomic parameters and create a solid basis for further economic growth.

43.In comparison with the first quarter of 2014, GDP grew by 7.5 per cent, industrial output by 7.9 per cent, agricultural production by 6.3 per cent and services by 13.1 per cent. Increasing macroeconomic stability was accompanied by a State budget surplus equal to 0.1 per cent of GDP, a trade surplus and a reduction of the tax burden from 20.1 to 19 per cent.

44.Sustained economic growth, in conjunction with the measures taken to stimulate consumer demand, contributed to an increase in the aggregate income of the population by 17.4 per cent and to concomitant increases of 15.2 per cent in retail trade and 10.1 per cent in paid services.

45.As a result of an actively pursued investment policy aimed at enhancing structural transformation through modernization, technical and technological innovation in production, accelerated introduction of key high-technology facilities, and development of transport and communications infrastructure on a priority basis, the economy’s aggregate investment in the first quarter of 2015 was US$ 2.7 billion, or 8.7 per cent greater than in the same period of 2014.

46.Considerable growth in investment, in conjunction with measures to improve the organization of construction work and develop and strengthen the contractors’ material and technical resources, contributed to an 18.9 per cent increase in building activity.

Basic indicators of the social and economic development of Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2015

Indicators	Indicator value(100: value in the same period in 2014)
GDP	107.5
Industrial output	107.9
Consumer goods	111.2
Agricultural production	106.3
Disbursed investment	108.7
Construction works	118.9
Retail trade	115.2
Paid services	110.1
Services as a whole	113.1

47.Of the more than 141,000 jobs created in the first quarter of 2015 as a result of specific measures carried out in the framework of job creation and employment programmes, more than 88,000 or 62.6 per cent were in rural areas.

48.Of the total number of jobs created, 28,600 resulted from targeted programmes, 27,200 from commercial bank loans to small enterprises and microfirms, and 21,000, 35,700 and 28,500 from the development of, respectively, individual entrepreneurship, home-based work, and farms and dekhans (small family farms).

49.An increase in the maximum number of workers in specific small-business sectors under Presidential Decree No. UP-4609 of 7 April 2014 on additional measures to improve further the country’s investment climate and business environment led to the creation of more than 1,200 additional new jobs in small enterprises in the sectors of textiles, leather, food and construction materials.

50.During the reporting period, morbidity declined as a result of programmes designed to create decent living conditions for the population, improve the efficiency of diagnostic and outpatient health facilities and enhance prevention. Thus, inter alia, the incidence of hepatitis was almost halved, while the incidence of catarrhal diseases and respiratory system tuberculosis declined by, respectively, two thirds and 4 per cent.

51.In order to enhance the equipment and resources of convalescence establishments and care centres for older persons, construction and other technical works were carried out in the sanatoriums of Turon (Tashkent city), Khavatag (Djizak province), Chimen (Fergana province), SitorayMohiHosa (Bukhara province) and Kasansay (Namangan province), and at the Akhmad al-Fargoniy rest home (Fergana province), for a total amount of 5.1 billion sum.

52.Since the beginning of the current year, more than 63,000 war and labour-front veterans received a check-up in seven key areas, namely therapy, neurology, cardiology, urology, surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.

53.In general, in the first quarter of 2015 the measures taken to create jobs and improve the well-being of the population contributed to an increase of 17.1 per cent in the average wage and 22.1 per cent in pensions.

54.The country’s social and economic development in the first quarter of 2015 shows that, through the consistent and focused implementation of a gradual and evolving strategy for reform and development, and despite the continuing global crisis and increasingly confrontational context, Uzbekistan maintains macroeconomic stability and a consistently high rate of economic growth.

(d)Administration of justice

55.The procedural rules applied by the courts in the administration of justice are set out in a series of legal and regulatory instruments, namely the Courts Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure (1994), the Code of Civil Procedure (1997) and the Code of Economic Procedure (1997). Judicial proceedings in the Constitutional Court are conducted in accordance with the Constitutional Court Act.

56.The proceedings in all courts are public. Closed hearings are only allowed in cases prescribed by the law.

57.Legal proceedings in Uzbekistan are conducted in Uzbek, Karakalpak or the language of the majority population in the area concerned. Persons not proficient in the language in which the proceedings are being conducted have the right to be fully apprised of the case, to participate in the proceedings through an interpreter, and to address the court in their native language.

58.Cases are heard by several different instances. Cases that are more complicated are heard by superior courts, all the way to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

59.Before entering into force, judgments may be appealed in a higher court within 10 days after the rendering of the judgment for criminal cases and within 20 days for civil cases.

60.Decisions and sentences that have entered into force, but have not been considered on appeal, may be appealed in a higher court on cassation within one year after the decision was rendered by the court.

61.Judgments that have entered into force may be reviewed in the context of the exercise of supervisory power, but only upon a protest lodged by a procurator, a presiding officer of a court, or their deputies to whom that right is granted under Uzbek law.

62.The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the field of civil, criminal and administrative justice; has the right to monitor the judicial activities of the supreme courts of Karakalpakstan, and of the provincial, city, inter-district, district and military courts; monitors the application by the courts of the directives of the Plenum of the Supreme Court; systematically analyses judicial practice and court statistics; and organizes further training for the staff of the courts.

63.The Supreme Court hears cases both as a court of first instance and in exercise of supervisory power. Cases considered by the Supreme Court at the level of first instance may be considered by it on appeal or in cassation, at the choice of the persons entitled to file a challenge or protest under either of those procedures. A case considered on appeal may not be considered in cassation.

64.The Plenum of the Supreme Court is the highest body of the judiciary and is composed of the justices of the Supreme Court and the presidents of the supreme courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The sessions of the Plenum of the Supreme Court are attended by the Procurator-General, the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Higher Economic Court, the Minister of Justice, judges, and the members of the scientific advisory board of the Supreme Court.

65.The Presidium of the Supreme Court considers cases under the supervisory procedure; attends to the harmonization of judicial practice; hears the reports of the presidents of the supreme courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the provincial and Tashkent city courts and the Military Court of Uzbekistan on the activity of those courts and on legislation enforcement practices; and reviews the organization of the work of judicial boards and of the staff of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan.

66.Inter-district and district (municipal) civil courts hear civil and administrative cases in which they have jurisdiction under the law.

67.District (municipal) criminal courts hear criminal and administrative cases in which they have jurisdiction under the law, and examine requests for remand in custody, extension of the period of remand in custody, removal of accused persons from their post, placement of a person in a medical establishment, extension of the period of stay in a medical establishment, dismissal of criminal action, suspension of criminal proceedings or release from imposed penalties under an amnesty.

68.Military courts hear:

Cases involving offences committed by military personnel of the Ministry of Defence, the National Security Service, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other military formations established in accordance with the law, and by reservists during training;

Civil cases brought by members of military personnel against officers in charge of military units, groups or associations or of military administrative bodies, and complaints regarding acts or decisions of the military administrative bodies or military officials that violate the rights and freedoms of military personnel;

All civil and criminal cases in areas where, as a result of exceptional circumstances, ordinary courts have no jurisdiction; and cases involving State secrets.

69.The Higher Economic Court is the highest judicial authority in the field of commercial procedure; is entitled to supervise of the judicial activity of the economic court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and of the economic courts of the provinces and the city of Tashkent; and hears cases as a court of first instance, in cassation and in exercise of supervisory power.

70.Judges may:

Require officials and citizens to carry out their orders relating to the dispensation of justice;

Receive from officials and other persons such information as is necessary for the dispensation of justice;

Form associations.

71.State bodies, officials, public associations, other legal entities and individuals must comply strictly with judges’ requirements and orders relating to the dispensation of justice. At the request of a judge, the information, documents and copies of documents necessary for the dispensation of justice are submitted free of charge. Failure to comply with judges’ requirements and orders entails liability under the law.

72.Persons eligible for designation as judges of inter-district and district (municipal) civil courts, district (municipal) criminal courts, the economic court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the economic courts of the province and city of Tashkent are citizens aged at least 30, with higher education in law and at least five years of specialized experience in legal work, especially in law-enforcement bodies.

73.Persons eligible for designation as judges of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provincial courts, Tashkent city courts and military courts are citizens, with higher education in law and at least seven years of specialized experience in legal work, including, as a rule, at least two years as a judge.

74.Persons eligible for designation as judges of the Supreme Court and the Higher Economic Court of Uzbekistan are citizens with higher education in law and at least ten years of specialized experience in legal work, including, as a rule, at least five years as a judge.

75.Persons eligible for designation as judges of military courts are citizens who are active commissioned officers and meet the requirements of the relevant article. Judges of military courts are subject to the General Military Duties and Military Service Act, the military regulations, and the legal and social protection measures applicable to military personnel. Persons eligible for designation as people’s assessors of military courts are citizens who are active commissioned officers, have attained 30 years of age on the day of their election, and have been elected by open ballot at assemblies of military units for a period of two and a half years.

76.When they are first appointed, candidates for a judge’s post are obliged to receive training and go through a practice period. During such training and practice, they are exempted from work-related responsibilities and receive the average monthly wage of the basic post.

77.Persons eligible for designation as people’s assessors are citizens who have attained 30 years of age on the day of their election, and have been elected by open ballot at citizen’s meetings of their place of residence or work for a period of two and a half years.

78.The number of people’s assessors for the various courts is established by the respective judicial qualification boards. People’s assessors are invited by turns to perform their duties in courts for no more than two weeks in a year unless that period must be extended in order to complete the examination of a court case initiated with their participation. During that period, they retain the average earnings of their place of work. All guarantees for the immunity of judges apply to people’s assessors during the performance of their judicial duties.

79.Judges of the Supreme Court and the Higher Economic Court are elected by the Senate following a proposal by the President of Uzbekistan.

80.Judges of the courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan are elected or appointed by the Jokargy Kenes (parliament) of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, on the proposal of its President, and as agreed beforehand with the President of Uzbekistan. The matter is submitted for agreement with the President of Uzbekistan on the basis of the conclusion of the Higher Judicial Selection Advisory Commission, attached to the Office of the President.

81.The judges of the provincial courts, Tashkent municipal courts, inter-district and district (municipal) courts, military courts and economic courts of the provinces and of the city of Tashkent are appointed by the President of Uzbekistan following a proposal by the Higher Judicial Selection Advisory Commission attached to the Office of the President.

82.Judges enjoy personal immunity, which covers their homes, offices, the transport and means of communication that they use, their correspondence, and articles and documents belonging to them. Judges are issued firearms in accordance with a list established, respectively, by the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Higher Economic Court and the Minister of Justice. Where necessary, the president of the relevant court may decide to instruct an internal security body to provide a judge and his or her family with an armed guard.

83.Criminal proceedings against judges may be instituted only by the Procurator-General. Judges may not face criminal prosecution or be remanded in custody without the consent of the Plenum of the Supreme Court or the Plenum of the Higher Economic Court, as the case may be.

84.A judge may not be subject to administrative proceedings without the consent of the appropriate qualification board of judges. The violation of a judge’s domicile or office or means of transport, and the conduct of an inspection, search or seizure, the tapping of his or her telephone conservations, the personal inspection or personal search of a judge, as well as the inspection, confiscation or seizure of his or her correspondence, personal effects or documents may take place only with the authorization of the Procurator of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, a procurator of the province or the city of Tashkent, or the military procurator of Uzbekistan, or by a court decision.

85.A criminal case against a judge of an inter-district or district (municipal) court or a district or territorial military court is under the jurisdiction of a higher court and, in criminal cases against judges of other courts, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

86.The powers of judges of the courts of general jurisdiction and the economic courts may be suspended on the proposal of the aforementioned Higher Commission by decision of the corresponding qualification boards if such judges are accused in a criminal case, engage in an activity incompatible with their post, are subject to coercive medical measures or are declared missing by court decision.

87.A judge’s disqualification lasts until the grounds for his or her suspension cease to exist. A judge may appeal the decision of the qualification board according to the procedure established by law.

88.Unless a judge is ordered detained as a preventive measure, his or her disqualification does not entail the discontinuation of or any decrease in the judge’s salary, any reduction of the level of protection that he or she enjoys or any withdrawal of the guarantees for his or her inviolability.

89.Disciplinary proceedings against judges may be initiated solely by decision of the qualification board of judges, for violations of the law in dispensing justice; omissions in the organization of judicial work as a result of neglect or lack of discipline; misconduct that tarnishes the honour and dignity of a judge and adversely affects the authority of a court; or infringement of the code of ethics for judges.

90.Moreover, disciplinary proceedings against military judges may be initiated for breach of military discipline.

91.The quashing or altering of a judicial decision does not in itself render liable a judge who participated in that decision, provided that he or she, in that connection, did not deliberately violate the law or show negligence with serious consequences.

92.A qualification board of judges is set up to examine matters related to the responsibility of judges in disciplinary matters, the suspension or early revocation of judges’ authority, the guarantees for the inviolability of judges, the assignment of judges to grades, the organization of the selection and election of people’s assessors, and the monitoring of compliance with the judges’ oath and code of ethics.

93.The higher qualification board of judges for the courts of general jurisdiction is selected by the Plenum of the Supreme Court for a term of five years.

94.The qualification boards of judges of civil and criminal courts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the provinces, and the city Tashkent are selected for a term of five years at the conferences of judges of the supreme civil and criminal courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the civil and criminal courts of the provinces and the city Tashkent, and the inter-district and district (municipal) civil and criminal courts, while the qualification boards of the judges of military courts are selected for an equal period at the conferences of judges of military courts.

95.Measures are gradually introduced in order to liberalize and humanize the judicial and legal system and strengthen human rights safeguards in the area of justice. Thus:

A person who voluntarily provides information on an offence that is being prepared or has been committed and actively contributes to its detection is not held liable;

A person who commits a first offence that does not pose a serious risk to the public or is a less serious offence may be exempted from liability or, by a court, from punishment, if he or she surrenders to the authorities, sincerely repents, actively helps to solve the crime and makes reparation for any injury caused;

In the case of a minor administrative offence, the court may exempt the offender from administrative liability and limit itself to issuing a warning;

If there exist sufficient grounds provided for in article 255 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the accused person or defendant is removed from his or her post through the judicial channel;

The placement of a person in a medical establishment during pretrial proceedings is decided by the court with the participation of the procurator, the defence counsel, the lawyers, the witnesses and the legal representatives;

If judicial investigation finds evidence that the offence has been committed by a person who has not been charged, the court notifies the procurator of that fact with a view to determining whether to institute criminal proceedings;

The granting of an amnesty is examined by judges of a district (municipal) criminal court. Depending on the outcome of the judicial proceedings, the suspect or accused person is released immediately;

Under article 66-1 of the Criminal Code, exemption from criminal liability following reconciliation with the victim is provided for in connection with more than 30 types of offence, provided that the offender recognizes his or her guilt, is reconciled with the victim and makes reparation for any injury caused. Exemption from liability following reconciliation does not apply to persons who have an outstanding conviction or unexpunged criminal record involving serious or especially serious offences.

Maximum and average duration of pretrial detention

96.As part of the reform of the judicial system, the time limit for preliminary investigations in criminal cases was reduced from two years to one year and for pretrial detention from 18 to 9 months (in exceptional cases 12 months). The scope of application of this measure was also reduced.

97.The duration of pretrial detention during investigation of an offence may not exceed three months.

98.Applications for extension of the three-month period of pretrial detention established by law are considered by the courts as follows:

Up to 5 months if made by a procurator of Karakalpakstan or a procurator of a province or of Tashkent City or a procurator of equivalent rank;

Up to 9 months if made by the Procurator-General of Uzbekistan;

Up to 12 months if made by the Procurator-General of Uzbekistan during the investigation of particularly complicated cases involving persons charged with serious or extremely serious offences. No further extension of the period may be permitted. In considering all such applications, courts must take into account the weight of the evidence submitted and compliance with procedural rules and requirements.

99.Pursuant to article 243 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, an application for remand in custody or house arrest is considered in closed session with the participation of the procurator, the defence counsel if he or she takes part in the proceedings, and the detained suspect or accused person. The legal representative of the suspect or accused person and the investigator are entitled to attend that hearing. An application for remand in custody of a person on a wanted list is considered without that person’s participation.

100.In 2014, 55,403 criminal proceedings were held in the courts of general jurisdiction, and the following decisions on preventive measures were taken with regard to 77,038 persons: pledge of good conduct (43,799 persons); personal recognizance (3,233 persons); recognizance of a voluntary organization or a collective body (118 persons); bail (10,246 persons); remand in custody (11,390 persons); house arrest (1 person); and release under supervision (408 minors). In the case of 7,843 persons, no preventive measures were applied.

101.Article 247 of the Code specifies the procedure for extension of the duration of remand in custody. Procurators must issue orders for the preparation of such applications and their submission to the courts at least six days before expiration of the current period. Such an order must state the reasons for the unusual length of the investigation and the verifiable facts and circumstances justifying the application. Applications are considered by a judge, sitting alone, of a district or city criminal court or of an area or territorial military court in the place where the offence was committed or where the pretrial investigation is being conducted; or, in the absence of a judge of those courts, by the judge of some other equivalent court designated by the president of the supreme criminal court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, a criminal court of Tashkent City or a province, or the Military Court of Uzbekistan.

102.Applications for an extension of the period of remand in custody must be examined in closed court session within 72 hours after receipt of the case file. The judge’s ruling to extend the period of remand in custody or to deny such extension enters into force when it is announced and is subject to immediate enforcement. It is transmitted to the procurator for enforcement and communicated to the accused and his or her counsel for information. The ruling may be appealed or contested within 72 hours.

103.Having considered an appeal or protest, the appeal court may in its ruling:

Leave the lower court’s ruling unchanged and reject the appeal or objection;

Revoke the lower court’s ruling by refusing to extend remand in custody or by extending the period set;

If extension of remand is ordered in respect of an accused person who has been released upon expiration of the earlier period of remand, the court must issue a detention order.

B.Constitutional, political and legal structure of the State

104.The Republic of Uzbekistan was formed on 31 August 1991 on the territory of the former Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, which had been part of the USSR. Uzbekistan is a unitary State with a mixed form of government.

105.The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan of 8 December 1992 is committed to the ideals of democracy and social justice and to the universal values and generally accepted principles and standards of international law. Any monopoly of a single political ideology and any antagonism among the ethnic groups and peoples living in the national territory are foreign to the Constitution. It enshrines the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, of the separation of powers (the legislative and executive branch and the judiciary), and the responsibilities of State bodies and officials in society.

106.The rights and freedoms of citizens embodied in the Constitution and the law are immutable, and no one may change or restrict them except by order of a court.

(a)Legislative branch

107.Legislative power is exercised by the Oliy Majlis, which is the highest State representative body in Uzbekistan and consists of two chambers: the Legislative Chamber (the lower chamber) and the Senate (the upper chamber).

108.The procedure governing the composition and legal status of the Oliy Majlis is laid down in the Constitution (articles 76-88), in the constitutional acts on the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Oliy Majlis (Elections) Act, and the Legislative Chamber and Senate (Composition) Act.

109.The Legislative Chamber consists of 150 deputies, elected in accordance with the law. The Senate is the chamber in which the various parts of the country are represented and consists of 150 senators.

110.Senators are elected in equal numbers — six each — from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the provinces and the city of Tashkent by secret ballot at joint sessions of the deputies of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and representative State bodies in the provinces, districts and cities from among those deputies. Sixteen members of the Senate are named by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from among the most distinguished citizens with wide practical experience and special merit in the fields of science, art, literature, industry and other areas of the life of the State and society.

111.Any Uzbek citizen who has reached the age of 25 by the date of the elections and has permanently resided in Uzbekistan for at least five years may become a deputy to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis or a member of the Senate. The qualification requirements for parliamentary candidates are determined by the law. No person may simultaneously be a deputy to the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

112.Legislative Chamber meetings are held during sessions that, as a rule, last from the first working day of September up to the last working day of June of the following year. Senate meetings are organized when necessary but at least three times a year. To be validly constituted, a meeting of either chamber must be attended by at least half of the total number of deputies or senators. The presence of at least two thirds of that number is required for the adoption of constitutional acts.

113.Joint meetings of the Legislative Chamber and Senate are held on the following occasions, inter alia: inauguration of the President of Uzbekistan, his or her appearances to address fundamental social, economic and domestic- or foreign-policy issues, and appearances of foreign Heads of State.

114.The President of Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister, the members of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Presidents of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Higher Economic Court, the Procurator-General, the President of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank, and the President of the Senate may participate in the meetings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate and their respective bodies, while the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber may participate in the meetings of the Senate and its bodies.

115.The right to initiate legislation is enjoyed by the President of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan represented by its highest legislative body, the deputies of the Legislative Chamber, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Higher Economic Court and the Procurator-General of Uzbekistan; and is exercised through the submission of a bill to the Legislative Chamber.

116.The Legislative Chamber includes committees for, since the elections of 2014: the Budget and Economic Reforms; Legislation and Judicial Questions; Employment and Social Questions; Defence and Security; International Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations; Agrarian and Water Supply Questions; Industry, Construction and Trade; Science, Education, Culture and Sports; Democratic Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations and Local Authorities; Information and Communication Technology; and Ecology and the Environment. Commissions consisting of members of the Legislative Chamber are set up to deal with specific matters.

117.Senate committees consisting of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and members are elected from among the senators after the constitution of the Senate for the period of its mandate to ensure preliminary examination and preparation of issues brought before the Senate and monitor the implementation of national legislation and Senate decisions. The Senate has six committees that deal with the Budget and Economic Reforms; Legislation and Judicial Questions; Defence and Security; Foreign Policy Matters; Matters of Science, Education, Culture and Sports; Agrarian and Water Supply Questions; and the Environment.

118.The Senate may establish commissions to carry out specific tasks. Two such commissions currently exist: the Commission on Regulation and Ethics, and the Commission on the Promotion of the Activity of Local Representative Authorities.

Political parties

119.Four political parties are currently represented in the Legislative Chamber.

120.Adolat, the Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, constituted on 18 April 1995. As at 1 January 2015, this party had 106,737 members. It draws its membership from the middle and poorer strata of the population and endeavours to represent their political and social wishes and promote their social protection on the basis of the principles of social justice.

121.Milli Tiklanish, the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, constituted on 20 June 2008 by decision of the joint congress resulting from a merger of the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Milli Tiklanish and the National Democratic Party Fidokorlar. As at 1 January 2015, this party had 184,166 members. The party’s basic aims are to promote national self-awareness; develop and strengthen the citizens’ pride in, devotion to and love for their country; and unite in its ranks patriots to mobilize their intellectual and creative potential in the service of the country for the enhancement of its international standing.

122.UzLuDep, the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People, created on 3 December 2003. As at 1 January 2015, this party had 248,379 members. It is a nationwide political organization expressing and defending the interests of property owners, small-scale entrepreneurs, owners of farms and small family farms, highly skilled manufacturing workers, managerial personnel, and business people.

123.The National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, founded on 1 November 1991. It represents the left wing in the country’s politics and expresses the political wishes of a number of social strata and groups. As at 1 January 2015, this party had 394,900 members. The party has a multiethnic composition in so far as it comprises members from 53 ethnic groups living in the country.

124.The activities of political parties in Uzbekistan are regulated by the Constitution, the Political Parties Act, the Political Parties Funding Act, and the Constitutional Act on strengthening the role of political parties in the renewal and further democratization of State administration and in the modernization of the country.

125.The President is the Head of State and head of the executive. Any citizen of Uzbekistan who has reached the age of 35, is fluent in the State language and has permanently resided in Uzbekistan for at least 10 years immediately prior to the elections may stand for election to the post of President. The same person may not be President of the Republic of Uzbekistan more than two terms in a row.

126.The President is elected by the citizens of Uzbekistan for a term of five years on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The procedure for presidential elections is specified in the law.

127.The President acts as the guarantor of citizens’ rights and freedoms, the Constitution and the country’s law. He or she takes the measures necessary for the protection of the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the country, and for the implementation of decisions on national issues of State organization; and represents Uzbekistan at the national and international levels.

128.The President may address the Oliy Majlis on fundamental issues related to the implementation of the country’s domestic and foreign policy; ensures cooperation between the higher levels of authority and State governance; on a proposal from the Cabinet of Ministers, he or she establishes and disbands ministries, State committees and other government bodies, by promulgating relevant decrees for subsequent approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis; he or she proposes to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis for consideration and approval the candidate for the office of Prime Minister; removes the Prime Minister from office in the event of resignation, no-confidence vote by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, or other circumstances specified by the law; and, on a proposal from the Prime Minister, designates the members of the Cabinet of Ministers or removes them from office.

129.The President declares a state of war in the event of an attack upon Uzbekistan or to fulfil treaty obligations to participate in mutual defence against aggression; and within 72 hours must submit that decision to the Oliy Majlis chambers for confirmation. In exceptional circumstances (a real external threat, mass disturbances, major disasters or natural calamities, epidemics) and in the interests of public safety, he or she may declare a state of emergency for the whole country or for individual localities and within 72 hours must submit that decision to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis for confirmation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he or she appoints, and relieves of their duties, the high command of the Armed Forces and awards higher military ranks. The President resolves questions of citizenship and granting of political asylum.

130.The Legislative Chamber and the Senate may be dissolved by decision of the President in agreement with the Constitutional Court, in the event of insurmountable differences arising within the Legislative Chamber or the Senate and threatening their normal functioning, repeated adoption of decisions incompatible with the Constitution, and insurmountable differences arising between the chambers and threatening the normal functioning of the Oliy Majlis. New elections must be held within three months in the event of dissolution of the Legislative Chamber or the Senate. The chambers may not be dissolved during a state of emergency.

(b)Executive branch

131.Executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers. It consists of the Prime Minister and his or her deputies, ministers, chairpersons of State committees, and the head of the Government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

132.The Cabinet of Ministers takes measures to protect the citizens’ economic, social and other rights, and their legitimate interests; coordinates and directs the work of State administration bodies; oversees their activity according to the law; and ensures the implementation of, inter alia, the law, the decisions of the Oliy Majlis and the presidential decrees, decisions and orders. In carrying out its activities, the Cabinet of Ministers responsible to the Oliy Majlis and the President of Uzbekistan.

133.The political party which won the most seats in the elections to the Legislative Chamber, or several political parties which won an equal number of seats, propose a candidate for the office of Prime Minister. Within 10 days, the President transmits that candidacy to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis for consideration and approval. The candidate for the office of Prime Minister presents the short- and long-term programme of action of the Cabinet of Ministers.

134.In the event of a deadlock between the Prime Minister and the Legislative Chamber, at least one third of the delegates of the Legislative Chamber, upon a proposal officially put forward on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan, may raise the question of a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister for discussion in a joint session of the Oliy Majlis. After due consultations with all factions of political parties in the Legislative Chamber, the President of the Republic proposes a new candidate for the office of Prime Minister. If two such proposals are turned down by the Oliy Majlis, the President of the Republic designates an acting Prime Minister and dissolves the Oliy Majlis.

135.The powers, and the procedure for the organization of the activity, of the Cabinet of Ministers are governed by the Constitution (in chapter XX) and the Cabinet of Ministers Act.

136.Local authorities: Kengashes of People’s Deputies, headed by khokims (governors), are the representative organs of authority in the regions, districts, towns and cities, except in towns under district jurisdiction and districts within cities.

137.The functions of local authorities include safeguarding the rule of law, public policy and the security of the citizens; dealing with issues related to the country’s economic, social and cultural development; establishing and implementing the local budget; determining local taxes and fees; securing extrabudgetary funds; ensuring the management of local public services; protecting the environment; and ensuring the registration of civil-status certificates.

138.The provincial, district and city khokim exercises representative and executive power in the respective territorial unit.

139.Provincial, district and city khokims exercise their powers in accordance with the principle of sole authority; are personally responsible for the decisions and acts of the bodies under their authority; and present to the appropriate kengash of peoples’ deputies, on key and urgent issues related to the social and economic development of the province, district or city, reports on the basis of which the kengash makes its decisions.

140.The khokim of the province and city of Tashkent is designated and removed from office by the President of Uzbekistan in accordance with the law.

141.The khokims of districts and other cities are designated and removed from office by the khokim of the province concerned, subject to approval by the appropriate kengash of people’s deputies.

142.The khokims of districts incorporated into cities are designated and removed from office by the khokim of the city concerned, subject to approval by the city’s kengash of people’s deputies.

143.The khokims of districts subordinated to a district are designated and removed from office by the khokim of the district concerned, subject to approval by the district’s kengash of people’s deputies.

(c)Judicial branch

144.The judiciary in Uzbekistan operates independently of the legislative and executive branches, political parties and other public associations.

145.The judicial system comprises the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Higher Economic Court, the supreme civil and criminal courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the economic court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, each elected for a five-year term, as well as provincial and Tashkent municipal civil and criminal courts, inter-district, district and municipal civil and criminal courts, military and commercial courts, appointed for the same duration.

146.The creation of special courts is not permitted.

147.The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan hears cases on the constitutionality of acts of the legislative and executive branches. The Presidents and the members of the Supreme Court and the Higher Economic Court may not be deputies of the Oliy Majlis. Judges, including district judges, may not belong to any political parties or movements, or hold any other paid posts. The judges of the Constitutional Court enjoy the right to immunity; and, in their activity, are independent and subject solely to the Constitution.

148.The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the field of civil, criminal and administrative justice. Its rulings are final and binding throughout Uzbekistan.

149.The Supreme Court has the right to monitor the judicial activities of the supreme courts of Karakalpakstan, as well as the provincial, city, inter-district, district and military courts.

150.Any economic disputes that may arise in the economic sphere, or during the process of economic management, between enterprises, institutions or organizations of various forms of ownership, or between entrepreneurs, are settled by the Higher Economic Court and the economic courts within their spheres of competence.

151.Judges are independent and subject solely to the law. Any interference in the work of judges in administering the law is inadmissible and punishable under the law. The immunity of judges is guaranteed by law.

152.Judges may not be senators or members of representative State bodies. Judges may not belong to any political parties, participate in political movements or engage in any type of paid activity other than scientific or educational. Judges may be removed from their post prior to the end of their term of office only on the grounds specified by law.

153.Decisions of the judicial authority are binding on all State bodies, public associations, enterprises, institutions and organizations, officials and citizens.

154.Accused persons are ensured the right to defence. The right to professional legal assistance shall be guaranteed at all stages of investigations and court proceedings. Citizens, companies, institutions and organizations are to be rendered legal assistance by a defence counsel, whose activities are structured and regulated by law.

155.Uzbek and foreign citizens and stateless persons are entitled to judicial protection from any unlawful acts or decisions by State and other bodies and officials, and from attempts against their life and health, honour, dignity, personal freedom, property, and other rights and freedoms. Undertakings, institutions and organizations are also entitled to judicial protection. With a view to ensuring effective judicial protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens, undertakings, institutions and organizations, the procurator participates in all stages of judicial proceedings and in the deliberations of the courts concerning the practical application of legislation.

156.The Arbitration Tribunal of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a non-State body that settles disputes arising between enterprises. Its activity is governed by the Courts of Arbitration Act.

(d)Electoral system

157.The basis of the organization and the principles of the electoral system are enshrined in the Constitution, chapter XXIII of which is devoted to that matter, and in the Referendums Act (1991), the Presidential Elections Act (1991), the Oliy Majlis Elections Act (1993), the Councils of Peoples’ Deputies Provincial, District and City Elections Act (1999), the Citizens’ Voting Rights Guarantees Act (1994) and the Central Electoral Commission Act.

158.Citizens have the right to elect representatives or to be elected to representative State bodies. Each voter is entitled to a single vote. The law guarantees the right to vote, equality and freedom of expression of one’s will. In Uzbekistan, suffrage is given to citizens only. Aliens and stateless persons do not have such a right.

159.All citizens, regardless of their social background, race, ethnic origin, gender, language, education, and personal, social or property status, have equal suffrage. Under Uzbekistan law, at least 30 per cent of the candidates put forward for representative office must be women. A citizen may not be a deputy in more than two representative State bodies simultaneously.

160.Presidential elections and elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan and the representative bodies of State authority in provinces, districts and cities are held on the first Sunday in the third 10-day period of December in the year in which their respective mandates expire. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The minimum voting age is 18.

161.Citizens found by a court to lack dispositive capacity or held in places of deprivation of liberty pursuant to a court sentence may not be elected or participate in elections. In all other cases, any direct or indirect restriction of the citizens’ electoral rights is prohibited.

162.The Central Electoral Commission, whose activity is based on the principles of independence, legality, collegiality, transparency and validity, is entrusted with the organization and conduct of elections. The Commission operates on an ongoing basis. Its members are elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate on the recommendation of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the kengashes of people’s deputies of the provinces and the city of Tashkent. The chairperson of the Commission is elected from among its members upon proposal of the president of the given session of the Commission.

163.Uzbekistan’s election system is a majority-vote system. Pursuant to the Oliy Majlis Elections Act, a candidate obtaining more than half of the votes of the voters participating in the election is deemed elected.

164.Of the 20,798,000 persons entitled to vote in the presidential elections held on 29 March 2015, 18,942,000 persons did so.

II.General framework for the protection and promotion of human rights

C.Acceptance of international human rights norms

(a)Ratification of main international human rights instruments

165.In the years since independence, Uzbekistan has acceded to the following fundamental instruments of international law in the field of human rights:

Treaty	Notification of accession	Reservations and declarations	Derogations, restrictions, or limitations
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966	31 August 1995	---	---
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966	31 August 1995	---	---
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), 1965	31 August 1995	---	---
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 1979	6 May 1995	---	---
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 1984	31 August 1995	---	---
Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989	9 December 1992	---	---
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, 2000	12 December 2008	---	---
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography, 2000	11 December 2008	---	---
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, concerning individual petition, 1966	31 August 1995	---	---
Second Optional Protocol to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, concerning abolition of the death penalty, 1989	10 December 2008	---	---

(b)Ratification of other United Nations human rights treaties and related instruments

166.Uzbekistan has acceded not only to the 10 core international instruments, but also to other United Nations instruments on human rights:

Treaty	Notification of accession	Reservations and declarations	Derogations, restrictions, or limitations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948	30 September 1991
World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children	19 December 1994
Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace	30 August 1997
Declaration on the Right to Development	30 August 1997
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief , 1981	30 August 1997
Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation	30 August 1997
Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials	30 August 1997
Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary	30 August 1997
1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction	1 May 1998
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948	20 August 1999	---	---
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation and the Prostitution of Others, 1949	12 December 2003	---	---
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, 2000	Signed 13 December 2000 Ratified 30 August 2003	---	---
United Nations Convention against Corruption	Accession under Act No. 158 of 7 July 2008
Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air	Signed 28 June 2001	---	---
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children	Signed 13 December 2000 Ratified 30 August 2003	---	---
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control	24 April 2012

(c)Ratification of ILO conventions

167.Uzbekistan has acceded to the following 13 conventions of ILO:

Treaty	Notification of accession	Reservations and declarations	Derogations, restrictions, or limitations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948	30 September 1991
World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children	19 December 1994
Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace	30 August 1997
Declaration on the Right to Development	30 August 1997
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief , 1981	30 August 1997
Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation	30 August 1997
Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials	30 August 1997
Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary	30 August 1997
1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction	1 May 1998
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948	20 August 1999	---	---
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation and the Prostitution of Others, 1949	12 December 2003	---	---
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, 2000	Signed 13 December 2000 Ratified 30 August 2003	---	---
United Nations Convention against Corruption	Accession under Act No. 158 of 7 July 2008
Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air	Signed 28 June 2001	---	---
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children	Signed 13 December 2000 Ratified 30 August 2003	---	---
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control	24 April 2012

(d)Ratification of Geneva Conventions and other humanitarian treaties

168.Uzbekistan has acceded to the Geneva Conventions and other treaties on humanitarian matters, as follows:

Convention	Notification of accession	Reservations and declarations	Derogations, restrictions, or limitations
Geneva Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, 1949	3 September 1993	---	---
Geneva Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at Sea (1949)	3 September 1993	---	---
Geneva Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (1949)	3 September 1993	---	---
Geneva Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949)	3 September 1993	---	---
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) (1977)	3 September 1993	---	---
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 1977	3 September 1993	---	---

(e)Ratification of regional human rights conventions

169.Uzbekistan is a signatory to regional human rights instruments, particularly within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

No.	Document title	Date and place of birth
1.	Agreement on cooperation in the establishment of public information systems of a new generation of passport and visa documents and their further development and use in CIS member States	Chisinau, 14 November 2008
2.	Agreement on urgent measures for the protection of victims of armed conflicts	Moscow, 24 September 1993 Ratified by Supreme Court of Uzbekistan Decision No. 1013-XII of 29 December 1993 Entry into force for Uzbekistan on 1 December 1994
3.	Agreement on assistance to refugees and persons subjected to forced resettlement	Moscow, 24 September 1993 Ratified by Supreme Court of Uzbekistan Decision No. 1014-XII of 29 December 1993 Entry into force for Uzbekistan on 21 November 1994
4.	Agreement on joint activities for humanitarian assistance from abroad	Minsk, 22 January 1993 Entry into force for Uzbekistan on 19 December 1993
5.	Agreement on mutual recognition of visas of CIS member States	Moscow, 13 November 1992 Notification of Uzbekistan withdrawal on 24 December 1999

D.General legal framework for the protection of human rights at the national level

(a)Legislative framework for the protection of human rights

170.As of 1 January 2015, the following legal instruments were in force in Uzbekistan: 686 enactments; 573 decisions of Oliy Majlis; 2,119 presidential decrees; 1,536 presidential ordinances; 84 presidential regulations; 8,218 decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers; 2,955 decisions and orders of ministries and departments.

171.The rules and manner of incorporation of international law into domestic law are based on an analysis of the Constitution and the legislation on international treaties. Uzbekistan recognizes the primacy of the universally recognized principles and standards in national legislation. That priority, however, is “soft “, namely, international law is implemented in the country in accordance with certain procedures based on legal and organizational measures taken by State bodies in order to ensure the actual implementation of the State’s international commitments.

172.The norms of international law are applied at home through the adoption of legislation that establishes relevant implementation mechanisms as follows:

First, general legal and regulatory rules are adopted regarding the relation between international law and domestic legislation; the procedure for concluding, implementing and terminating international treaties; and the adoption of legislation in the area of competence of the authorities responsible for their implementation;

Second, legal provisions are adopted to ensure the fulfilment of obligations under international law in accordance with specific international treaties.

173.The legislative codification of human rights is effected through constitutional acts, the codes and an entire block of directly applicable law. The Oliy Majlis has passed more than 600 acts on basic human rights and freedoms. Overall guidelines for safeguarding and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens are defined in the provisions of sectoral legislation. The most important principles for ensuring human rights and freedoms are codified in, inter alia, the norms of the Family Code, the Labour Code, the Housing Code, the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Administrative Liability Code.

174.Recent years have been marked by the adoption of important enactments aimed at the creation of organizational and legal mechanisms for the realization of the citizens’ civil and political rights, inter alia the Constitution of Uzbekistan (Amendment) Act, the Act on openness in the work of State and governmental authorities, the Social Partnership Act, the Ecological Oversight Act and the Individuals’ and Legal Entities’ Applications Act.

175.Considerable attention is paid to improving the functioning of the courts and law enforcement bodies through, inter alia, the Legislative Instruments Act, the Police Operations Act, the Pretrial Detention during Criminal Proceedings Act, the Procurator’s Office Act (new version), and instruments issued by the President in order to strengthen legal and social safeguards concerning judicial proceedings and the social status of judges.

176.The legislative bodies constantly address issues related to the realization of the citizens’ economic, social and cultural rights through the adoption of, inter alia, the Act on the protection of private ownership and guarantees of the rights of property owners, the Family Business Act, the Competition Act, the Act on private banking and financial institutions and guarantees for their activities, the Act on procedures permitted in business activities, the Free Enterprise Act (new version), the Act on joint stock companies and protection of shareholders’ rights, and the Commercial Confidentiality Act.

(b)State bodies that take decisions on human rights matters

177.The bodies authorized to deal with human rights issues in Uzbekistan include:

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and local legislative bodies;

The President of the Republic;

The Cabinet of Ministers and the ministries, departments and agencies of the Executive;

The local bodies of State authority and administration;

The institutions of the judicial system;

The Office of the Procurator-General;

The Ministry of Justice;

The Ministry of Internal Affairs.

178.The Oliy Majlis, the highest legislative body of Uzbekistan, creates the legal basis for safeguarding and protecting human rights. Committees of both chambers of the Oliy Majlis perform the procedures for parliamentary control of compliance with international human rights treaties and the human rights legislation in force.

179.The President of Uzbekistan is the Head of State and ensures the coordinated functioning and interaction of State bodies, acts as guarantor of the observance of the citizens’ rights and freedoms and of the Constitution and the law; conducts negotiations and signs treaties and agreements on behalf of Uzbekistan; guarantees compliance with the treaties and agreements concluded by the country and the fulfilment of the obligations that they contain; and suspends or rescinds any instruments issued by the State administration and the khokims that are at variance with the provisions of the law.

180.Executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers, which is responsible for carrying out an effective economic, social, financial, monetary and credit policy; implementing measures to protect the citizens’ economic, social and other rights, and their legitimate interests; and ensuring the implementation of the law, the decisions of the Oliy Majlis and the presidential decrees, decisions and orders.

181.Kengashes of people’s deputies, headed by khokims, are the representative organs of authority in the regions, districts, towns and cities, except in towns under district jurisdiction and districts within cities. In accordance with the interests of the State and citizens, they deal with matters within their authority in the sphere of safeguarding the rule of law, the legal system, the citizens’ security and the economic, social and cultural development of the territorial unit concerned.

182.Provincial, district and city khokims head the representative and executive authorities in the territorial unit concerned. They exercise their powers in accordance with the principle of sole authority; are personally responsible for the decisions and acts of the bodies under their authority; and present to the appropriate kengash of peoples’ deputies, on key and urgent issues related to the social and economic development of the province, district or city, reports on the basis of which the kengash makes its decisions. Within the limits of the authority vested in him or her, a khokim makes decisions that are binding on all enterprises, institutions, organizations, associations, officials and citizens in the relevant territory.

183.The judiciary: the judicial system comprises the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Higher Economic Court, the supreme civil and criminal courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the economic court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, each elected for a five-year term, as well as the provincial and Tashkent municipal civil and criminal courts, inter-district, district and municipal civil and criminal courts, and military and commercial courts, appointed for the same duration.

184.The Office of the Procurator General: the principal tasks of procuratorial offices are to ensure that the law prevails; strengthen the rule of law; defend the citizens’ rights and freedoms and the interests, protected by the law, of society, the State and the country’s constitutional system; and prevent and forestall violations of the law.

185.Pursuant to the Presidential Decree of 24 July 2014 on measures for further reforms in the system of implementation of the legislation, the Office of the Procurator-General created the General Directorate for Monitoring the Implementation of Legislation and Raising the Effectiveness of the Activities of Procuratorial Bodies, and approved the organizational structures of the procuratorial services of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the provinces and the city of Tashkent and of the Uzbek Transport Procurator’s Office, which include new units to monitor compliance with the legislation in the area of agriculture.

186.The responsibilities of the General Directorate include monitoring to ensure strict compliance with legal provisions in the sphere of the protection of the citizens’ political, economic, social and other rights and freedoms; prompt examination of individuals’ and legal entities’ complaints; and adoption of effective steps to redress any rights that may have been violated in such cases. In order to carry out those tasks, a directorate to oversee respect for human rights and freedoms has been created within the General Directorate.

187.The Ministry of Justice, vested with considerable authority in ensuring and protecting human rights and freedoms, includes the Department for the Protection of Human Rights, established through a Cabinet of Ministers decision of 27 August 2003. The Department conducts, inter alia, an ongoing analysis of human rights legislation and makes proposals for its improvement; and monitors compliance with the human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, the law and the country’s international agreements by the State administration, the local authorities and the law-enforcement agencies.

188.The Department cooperates with the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Oliy Majlis and the National Centre for Human Rights, in such areas as monitoring respect for human rights and freedoms.

189.In accordance with the Constitution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs includes the Department for Human Rights Protection and Legal Support, which ensures the population’s unhindered access to internal affairs bodies to submit communications, complaints and statements. To that end, the Department established, in the premises of such bodies, spaces for meeting citizens and informing them about the Ministry’s helplines and the Citizens’ Communications Act.

190.The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued an order for improved cooperation in protecting human rights between internal affairs bodies and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis and his or her local offices. The order provides for joint work, at the local level, in examining citizens’ communications, monitoring compliance with legislation and organizing seminars and round tables. Similar work is also carried out with the National Centre for Human Rights.

(c)Legal remedies for human rights violations

191.Uzbek law clearly defines the legal remedies for violations of protected rights. Those remedies are specified in such enactments as the Civil Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Courts Act, the Office of the Procurator-General Act, the Individuals’ and Legal Entities’ Applications Act, the Act on lodging complaints in court regarding actions and decisions violating the rights and freedoms of citizens, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis Act, the Bar Act, the Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations Act; the regulation on the Ministry of Justice; and the regulation on the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

192.The extrajudicial procedure for complaining against human rights violations is clearly laid down in the Individuals’ and Legal Entities’ Applications Act of 3 December 2014. Communications may be submitted to the authorities in the form of statements, proposals and complaints in the official and other languages. The law prohibits any discrimination with regard to the right to file communications. Individuals and legal entities may appeal any unjustified refusal to admit and consider a communication transmitted to a higher agency or directly to the courts. It is illegal to refer, without justification, the examination of a communication to another State body or to the body or official whose decision, action or omission is the subject of the complaint.

193.The procuratorial services examine and process communications filed by individuals and legal entities. Of the 247,329 such communications processed directly by procuratorial bodies in the period 2011-2014, 41,640 were upheld. In that period, procurators received 445,972 citizens. Of the more than 31,300 procuratorial response measures taken on the basis of the examination of the communications filed, 3,700 consisted in orders to remedy legal violations, more than 3,100 in complaints against illegal steps taken by officials, more than 12,300 in administrative, disciplinary and material liability proceedings against persons, and 11,212 in claims that totalled 42.7 billion sum. In cases involving flagrant violations of the law, 3,522 criminal proceedings were instituted, 7.8 billion sum in damages were paid voluntarily by the offenders, the rights of more than 50,900 citizens were restored, and 933 persons received warnings concerning the inadmissibility of infringements of the law.

194.The Department for the Protection of Human Rights operating in the Ministry of Justice examines communications regarding human rights violations. The number of communications and, thereof, the number of complaints were, respectively, 3,306 and 2, 234 in 2011, 3,782 and 2,816 in 2012, 3,505 and 2,765 in 2013, 4,301 and 3,130 in 2014, and 5,756 and 3,772 in the first half of 2015. The interdepartmental working group to monitor the observance of human rights and freedoms by law-enforcement and other State bodies, established and attached to the same Ministry by Government Order No. 112-R of 24 February 2004, studies and recapitulates cases involving respect for human rights and freedoms.

195.The Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis and the National Centre for Human Rights are also engaged in extrajudicial protection of the rights of citizens in the system of State institutions.

196.The Commissioner’s review of a complaint is accompanied by a special independent investigation conducted by his or her Office and by recommendations for the officials who are deciding the case. Members of the public are received every day in person by the Commissioner, members of the Commission on Observance of Citizens’ Constitutional Rights and Freedoms, and staff of the Commissioner’s secretariat.

197.During the 108 personal interviews held in the period 2010-2014, the Commissioner received 1,750 citizens’ communications, of which 1,149 complaints and statements were admitted for processing and were referred for decision to the competent bodies. In the same period, the Office of the Commissioner examined 58,274 citizens’ statements and complaints (of which 44,370 in the period 2005-2009).

198.One of the tasks of the Social Relations Office, a structural subdivision of the National Centre for Human Rights, consists in promoting the protection of citizens’ rights and assessing the situation concerning the realization of human rights. The Office receives citizens and studies the written statements addressed to the Centre.

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Number of communications received	1 223	1 358	1 547	1 474	1 456	1 650	1 882

199.Of the communications received by the Centre in 2014, 730 (44.1 per cent) were statements and 919 (55.6 per cent) complaints, 843 (51 per cent) were submitted by women, 663 (40.1 per cent) by men, and 147 (8.9 per cent) were collective communications. Of the 280 communications upheld, 119 led to restoration of violated rights of citizens and 161 to support for the exercise of rights and legitimate interests.

200.As regards judicial procedures for the protection of violated rights, the use of administrative procedures to complain of violated rights does not preclude the possibility of going to court to restore one’s rights.

201.Recourse to the legal profession, with its network of public and private law firms and offices, offers another means of legal protection. Of the 1,248 lawyers’ groups that the profession comprised on 1 January 2015, 64 were bar associations, 398 law firms, 784 law offices, and 2 legal counsel offices. The activity of such groups is diversified. Moreover, specialized lawyers’ groups include a lawyers’ association for soldiers’ affairs, the “Yuvenal Veritasadvokatlari” association, and a lawyers’ association for international law affairs.

202.In the period 2011-2014, lawyers provided free legal aid through consultations in 297,240 cases (73,881 in 2011, 74,443 in 2012, 76,619 in 2013, and 72,297 in 2014) and the drawing up of documents in 27,324 cases (8,092 in 2011, 6,769 in 2012, 6,482 in 2013, and 5,981 in 2014). Clients received legal aid under the State budget in 236,588 cases (54,530 in 2011, 55,215 in 2012, 60,277 in 2013, and 66,566 in 2014). Of the more than 1.11 million citizens who sought legal counsel, more than 624,000 were urban and more than 387,000 rural inhabitants. In the period 2011-2014, lawyers provided free legal aid in defence of witnesses in 10,444 cases (3,093 in 2011, 1,939 in 2012, 3,448 in 2013, and 1,964 in 2014).

203.Legal clinics, where citizens are provided free legal assistance, operate in the law schools.

204.For instance, the legal clinic of the University of World Economics and Diplomacy is a public-law non-profit advisory body which provides free assistance to low-income persons in order to protect their violated rights. The University’s curriculum includes an elective course entitled “Legal clinic” for third to fifth year students of the international law department. In the period 2011-2014, the legal clinic provided legal aid directly to 334 persons in the form of legal counsel and preparation of judicial and extra- judicial documents (inter alia, statements, petitions, applications and communications).

205.Human rights may also be protected by public organizations that act in court as the legal representatives of a person, and receive and examine citizens’ communications. In the period 2011-2014, trade unions examined 42,830 citizens’ communications. Of the 6,558 communications resolved in a positive manner in the first half of 2015, 2,816 were upheld, while explanations were provided for 3,295. Legal counsel was provided to more than 6,700 persons through the network of helplines. Trade unions frequently transmit petitions to courts and requests to employers or State bodies to ensure redress for the violated rights of workers. In 2014 alone, trade unions transmitted 111 petitions to courts and 328 requests to employers. As a result, the rights of 1,143 citizens were restored.

206.Political parties also deal with citizens’ communications. Thus, 207 public assistance centres have been created since 2006 in the central, regional, district and town councils of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan in order to help the party’s electorate to find solutions to the social problems that they encounter. In the period 2011-2014, 44,700 citizens had recourse to the above centres. More than 75 per cent of the communications were resolved in a positive manner. In the period 2012-2013, the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan helped 257 entrepreneurs and farmers to resolve legal challenges.

(d)The place of international human rights treaties in national law

207.Uzbekistan has so far entered into more than 3,000 bilateral and multilateral treaties in the political, economic, trade, financial, investment, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and in the fields of law enforcement, defence, education, health and tourism. More than 70 international treaties directly concern human rights and freedoms.

208.By acceding to an international treaty recognizing or conferring personal rights or providing resources for the legal protection of persons, Uzbekistan undertakes an obligation to ensure that all persons concerned who are in its territory enjoy such specific rights and legal protection. However, such an international obligation of direct implementation of the said rights may be fulfilled only in accordance with national law.

209.A legislative process of adopting new national provisions or amending existing ones is taking place with a view to the fulfilment of the country’s international obligations in the area of protecting human rights under international law. Without amending its legislation or aligning it with international law, Uzbekistan, as a party to an international treaty, would be unable to implement its provisions.

210.International human rights law is implemented not only through legislative action, but also, and mainly, through the Government’s social and economic policy. A high level of economic development and political culture among the population contributes to the realization of many natural civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights laid down in international treaties.

211.According to the International Treaties Act of 25 December 1995, the international treaties of Uzbekistan are subject to direct and mandatory application by the country in accordance with the rules of international law.

(e)Reliance of judicial bodies on international human rights instruments

212.The country’s legal system recognizes the precedence of international law over national law. At the same time, an international treaty, for purposes of its enforcement, must be implemented in national laws. After implementation, the norms of international law become part of domestic law and are binding. Directly citing a given international treaty is not standard practice among the judicial bodies of Uzbekistan and is extremely rare.

(f)Recognition of the jurisdiction of regional human rights courts

213.The Republic of Uzbekistan is not a party to regional human rights agreements and, accordingly, does not recognize the jurisdiction of regional human rights courts.

(g)Legal status and legal regulation of the activities of NGOs

214.Of the more than 8,000 NGOs operating in the country, approximately 30 are international or overseas delegations of foreign NGOs. There are more than 10,000 citizens’ assemblies and self-governance bodies.

215.Citizens have the constitutional right to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the State both directly and through their representatives. Such participation takes the form of local self-government, referendums, the democratic constitution of State bodies, and the development and enhancement of community oversight over the work of such bodies, as prescribed by law.

216.Citizens have the right to form trade unions, political parties and other public associations and to participate in popular movements. No one may encroach upon the rights and freedoms or cast aspersions on members of the minority opposition in political parties, public associations, popular movements, or representative authorities.

217.Uzbekistan has adopted the following legislative instruments that consolidate and support the activities of NGOs: the Constitution (chapter XII), the Civil Code, the Civil Societies Act, the Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations Act, the Voluntary Foundations Act, the Private Property Owners’ Associations Act, the Local Authorities Act, the Local Authorities (Election of Presiding Officers) Act, the NGOs Safeguards) Act and the Charities Act.

218.Article 57 of the Constitution prohibits the creation and operation of civil society organizations established for the purpose of changing the constitutional order by force, impairing the sovereignty, integrity and security of the Republic and the rights and freedoms of its citizens under the Constitution, making propaganda for war or social or religious enmity or hostility between nationalities and races, or undermining the health and morality of the people, as well as militarized organizations operating under the banner of a nationality or religion. The formation of secret societies or associations is prohibited.

219.Under article 62 of the Constitution, the dissolution, prohibition or restriction of the activities of public associations is possible solely on the basis of a court decision. An NGO may be dissolved by decision of its supreme body or by court decision in accordance with the law. Such matters are governed by the Regulations on the procedure for the dissolution of NGOs, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Decision of 15 January 2015.

220.The Ministry of Justice is the principal agency for registration of NGOs. Pursuant to the Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations Act, the judicial body that receives the documents for official registration of an NGO must examine them and take a decision on approval or rejection within one month from their submission. It must then, within three days of that decision, issue to the founders a certificate of official registration or a document indicating the specific provisions of the legislation on which rejection is based. Any refusal to register an NGO is communicated to it in the form of a written notification stating the grounds for the refusal. The registering body’s decision to refuse registration may be appealed before a court. The rules for the registration of NGOs are laid down in the Regulations on the procedure for State registration of NGOs, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Decision of 10 March 2014.

221.The State pursues a policy of social partnership with civil society organizations. The Public Support Fund for NGOs and Other Civil Society Institutions, created in 2008 and attached to the Oliy Majlis, and a parliamentary commission consisting of senators and Legislative Chamber deputies, ensure the transparent, public, targeted and democratic distribution of financial allocations from the State budget to support the activities of NGOs: in the period 2008-2014, more than 37.7 billion sum were thus allocated in the form of State subsidies, contracts for services and grants.

222.More than 10 enactments were adopted in support for the activity of the media. They are specifically aimed at promoting the democratization and liberalization of the media, their active participation in ensuring the transparency and openness of the public, political, social and economic reforms undertaken, and their use of advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs). The Media Act, the Act on guaranteed freedom of access to information (new version), the Information Technology Act, the Act on principles and guarantees for freedom of information, the Act on protection of the professional activities of journalists, and the Act on transparency in the work of State and administrative authorities ensure freedom of access to information and underpin a comprehensive system for the protection of the professional activity of journalists.

223.The existing legal framework provides reliable guarantees for the independent and free development of the media. That sector expanded from 395 media facilities in 1991 to approximately 1,400 print and electronic media facilities currently active. Approximately 53 per cent of all television channels and 85 per cent of radio stations are non-State. The media publish information in more than 15 languages, spoken by peoples and ethnic groups living in Uzbekistan.

224.The print media publish in, inter alia, Uzbek, Russian, English, Kazakh, Tajik, Karakalpak and Korean.

225.The Oliy Majlis pays continuously attention to the country’s information sector. The Legislative Chamber is currently considering bills on television and radio broadcasting, on the economic basis of the media and on guaranteed State support for the media. There are also plans to adopt a series of organizational and legal measures in support of promising projects and programmes for strengthening the economic independence and financial stability of the media, promoting market relations in the area of information services, and upgrading and enhancing the financial and technical resources of the media.

226.Civil society organizations, in particular the Creative Union of Journalists, the National Association of Electronic Media, and the National Foundation for Supporting and Developing the Independent Print Media and Information Agencies of Uzbekistan, play a significant role in the consolidation and development of independent media.

227.Currently, all State bodies without exception have their own websites, where any person may be fully informed about the activity of the given department and consult the relevant official documents. The number of active websites utilizing the “.uz” domain increased from 587 in 2002 to 18,378 in 2014. Currently, approximately 1,000 enterprises provide Internet access services, while in early 2014 more than 10.5 million persons used the Internet. That development helps to raise the population’s and the international community’s awareness of the reforms carried out in the country.

E.General framework for the promotion of human rights at the national level

(a)The role of the Oliy Majlis in promoting and protecting human rights and implementing international human rights treaties

228.There has recently been greater parliamentary supervision of compliance with international treaties on human rights and freedoms by way of monitoring exercises gauging adherence to international conventions ratified by the Oliy Majlis, and through relevant parliamentary hearings, seminars and conferences.

229.In 2011, parliamentary hearings were held on, inter alia, the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Ministry of Justice; the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and the consideration of the country’s fourth national report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Torture.

230.In 2012, the parliamentarians heard the report of the Government’s delegation to the 101st Session of the International Labour Conference on the country’s participation in the work of that session and on the implementation of ILO conventions; and discussed, inter alia, the country’s second country report under the universal periodic review of the Human Rights Council. In 2013, the Oliy Majlis discussed, inter alia, the question of national and religious consensus and common understanding in society, improvements to legislation on combating HIV/AIDS, the development of public oversight over the activity of State bodies, the combat against corruption, and the implementation of the Media Act and the Citizens’ Communications Act.

231.In 2014, the Oliy Majlis addressed the outcome of the consideration of the country’s eighth and ninth national reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the second periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the presentation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbek, issues related to HIV/AIDS infections, and the outcome of the consideration of the country’s third and fourth reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto.

(b)National human rights institutions

232.Pursuant to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the following national institutions for human rights have been created in Uzbekistan: the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis, the National Centre for Human Rights, and the Institute for Monitoring Current Legislation attached to the Office of the President.

233.The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis plays a substantial role in monitoring compliance with human rights law. With the means available to it, the Office specifically helps not only to restore violated rights, but also to improve Uzbek law. Examining the appeals of citizens and providing assistance in restoring their violated rights and freedoms are one of the Commissioner’s priorities.

234.On 31 October 1996, a presidential decree created the National Centre for Human Rights, which is a State-run, analytical, consultative and interdepartmental coordinating body for the implementation of the State policy on human rights and freedoms. The main duties and functions of the Centre consist in, inter alia, drawing up a national plan of action on human rights and civil liberties; fostering cooperation between Uzbekistan and international and national organizations dealing with human rights; preparing national reports on the observance and protection of human rights in Uzbekistan and submitting them to international organizations; and preparing recommendations to State agencies on how to improve their observance and protection of human rights. The structure of the Centre includes the editorial team of the Democratization and Human Rights review.

235.The Institute for Monitoring Current Legislation is a research arm of the Office of the President that monitors legislation and carries out technical reviews of the laws enacted in order to further the Head of State’s legislative initiatives. The Institute reviews the compliance of legislation with international norms and standards, and the observance of the primacy of the universal principles and rules of international law and of human rights and freedoms in draft enactments.

236.In the period 2011-2014, the Institute conducted approximately 20 reviews of compliance with current legislation in the area of human rights protection, and in particular with, inter alia, the Code of Civil Procedure; the Employment Act; chapter 28 (“Preventive measures”) of the Code of Criminal Procedure; the Act on trade unions, their rights and guarantees of their activity; the habeas corpus provisions; the legislation safeguarding the citizens’ electoral rights; the legislation on health care (regulations on transplantation procedures); and the International Treaties Act.

237.The Research Centre on the Democratization and Liberalization of Judicial Legislation and the Independence of the Judicial System is an independent establishment for information analysis and advice, attached to the Supreme Court. In the period 2011-2014, the Centre conducted approximately 25 reviews of the activity of the courts and compliance with, inter alia, the Courts Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Code of Administrative Procedure. The findings of such reviews served as a basis for proposing improvements to the administration of justice.

238.The National Centre for the Social Adaptation of Children handles matters involving the country’s socially vulnerable children. It is an organization established by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the social protection of children and to study and draft legislative instruments for the realization and protection of the rights and interests of socially vulnerable groups of children.

(c)Dissemination and publication of human rights treaties

239.International human rights instruments are disseminated through the preparation and publication of compilations of international human rights treaties, books on the incorporation of international treaties into national legislation, and documents that explain the essence and significance of international human rights norms.

240.In Uzbekistan, more than 100 core international human rights instruments have been translated into Uzbek and published in large runs in close cooperation with such international partners as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The following are some of the compilations of international treaties published in recent years in Uzbek or Russian:

Compilation of international documents of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child;

International human rights and humanitarian law: an educational methodology handbook;

Monitoring the Rights of the Child: a study guide in Uzbek and Russian;

International Treaties on Combating Human Trafficking, and the National Legislation of Uzbekistan;

Human Rights Education: National and International Standards, in Russian;

Prisoners’ Rights: International and National Standards, in Uzbek and Russian;

Respect for human rights in Uzbekistan as the basis for stability, sustainable development and prosperity;

International Standards and Refining National Legislation on Political Parties and NGOs: a collection of international round table deliberations;

Human Rights Research: Status and Prospects: a collection of deliberations from an international conference;

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): obligations in the area of human development, in Uzbek;

Establishing a human rights culture: the top priority in ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms and the further development of civil society in Uzbekistan (documents of an international round table, 30 June 2011, Tashkent);

National Centre for Human Rights, 2011 (2012, 2013 and 2014);

International Human Rights Standards and National Legislation (documents of international conferences held in Tashkent in 2011 on “Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations under international law with regard to human rights”, “Business and human rights: protection and social responsibility”, and “International legal standards and Uzbekistan’s experience in establishing a national system of protection of human rights and freedoms”);

Compilations entitled “Effective mechanisms for the participation of civil society organizations in public oversight over the conditions of democratization of the State and development of civil society: the experience of Uzbekistan and other countries” and “The experience of constitution-building in Uzbekistan and international practice” (documents of international conferences held in Tashkent in 2012);

Aspects of the Further Development of Institutions of Parliamentary and Public Oversight: Domestic and European Experience, and “Development of a national system for the protection of human rights in the context of the modernization of the country: Uzbekistan’s experience and international practice” (documents of international conferences held in Tashkent in 2013);

Social Partnership and International Experience in Social Participation in the Governmental Decision-making Process;

International Treaties and National Legislation of Uzbekistan against Human Trafficking;

The National Human Rights Protection System: international practice and the experience of Uzbekistan;

Framework for the National Monitoring of Women’s Rights in Uzbekistan, in Uzbek and Russian;

Compilation of documents including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the general comments of the Committee Against Torture;

Further Reform of the Judicial and Legal System (documents of an international conference held in Tashkent in 2014).

(d)Enhancement of the awareness of civil servants and law-enforcement officials

241.A network of educational institutions that train and re-train lawyers and law-enforcement workers operates in Uzbekistan and includes the law schools of universities, the Tashkent State University of Law, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Institute of the National Security Service, the Centre for the Further Training of Legal Specialists, and the Advanced Courses of the Office of the Procurator-General, the Academy of Public Administration attached to the Office of the President, and the University of World Economics and Diplomacy attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

242.The Academy of Public Administration attached to the Office of the President runs a human rights course, part of which involves practical onsite training at the National Centre for Human Rights and the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.

243.On the initiative of the Office for the Protection of Human Rights and Legal Support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a faculty of human rights theory and practice was opened in January 2009 at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The curriculum in this area is structured as follows:

In their second year, full-time students study general human rights theory for a total of 40 hours, which consists of 20 hours of lectures, 8 hours of workshops and 12 hours of self-study;

Students on higher academic courses study human rights and the work of the internal affairs agencies for a total of 40 hours, which consists of 12 hours of lectures, 18 hours of workshops and 10 hours of self-study;

Students on higher training courses for non-commissioned officers take a legal training course, including a module on human rights and the work of the internal affairs agencies, which consists of 16 hours of teaching;

In the faculty of further training for internal affairs officers, the curriculum includes courses on international standards for the observance of human rights in the work of law enforcement agencies and on the observance of human rights in the work of internal affairs agencies. The various treaties and covenants are studied.

244.The system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also includes four centres for the training and retraining of non-commissioned officers, whose curriculum contains courses on international standards and national law relating to human rights protection.

245.The Department for Human Rights Protection and Legal Support carries out for the staff of internal affairs bodies a training programme, approved on 2 March 2010, 2 February 2012 and 3 January 2014, on international instruments and the norms of domestic law relating to human rights protection. The programme includes relevant classes held once a month.

246.The Centre for Further Training of Legal Specialists in the Ministry of Justice is a State educational institution that offers advanced training and re-training for the staff of the Ministry and the courts, attorneys, law instructors and legal-service personnel.

247.The Centre pays special attention to disseminating information on the international legal system for the protection of human rights and freedoms. The curriculum includes courses on Uzbek domestic law and international standards of justice, the foundations of international humanitarian law, the legal basis for the fight against international organized crime, the place and role of international human rights standards in the work of law enforcement agencies, Uzbek domestic law and international human rights law, the legal status of the public in international law and international and national mechanisms for the defence of human rights. Of the 2,593 lawyers having attended the Centre, 706 were trained in 2011, 870 in 2012, 525 in 2013 and 492 in 2014.

248.A presidential decision dated 7 November 2007 created the Advanced Courses of the Office of the Procurator-General. The Courses include systematic activities designed to provide human rights information and education and to upgrade the legal culture and professional practices of the staff of procuratorial bodies and of the departments attached to the Office of the Procurator-General. In the period 2011-2014, the Courses were attended during six months by 82 senior procuratorial officials for retraining and during one month by 1,667 employees for skills upgrading; while, approximately, 680,000 explanatory activities, including 165,000 in the media, were organized, 115 scientific articles were published, and 28 publications were issued on various legal topics of current interest.

249.The curriculum of the Institute of the National Security Service includes the study of human rights as a separate academic discipline (24 hours). The Institute has a centre on the law of armed conflict in which the subject of human rights is also studied. The teaching is interdisciplinary and covers both general aspects of human rights and the specific practical implications with which future members of the National Security Service will have to deal in their law enforcement work.

250.In the period 2011-2013, the Tashkent State Institute of Law held for students in the fourth year a course on human rights designed to provide them with a thorough theoretical basis in that area and knowledge on the appropriate implementation of current international and national human rights instruments. Pursuant to Presidential Decision No. PP-1990 of 28 June 2013 on measures to improve the training system for legal specialists, the Tashkent State Institute of Law was transformed into the Tashkent State University of Law.

251.In 2013, the Tashkent State University of Law introduced for the first time, in the third year, in the “international legal activities” area of specialization, an “international human rights” module comprising 142 hours of courses: 30 hours of lectures, 46 hours of practical exercises and 66 hours of independent work. Some aspects of human rights, in addition to being covered as a separate discipline, are also reflected in other academic disciplines, such as theory of Government and the law, criminal law, administrative law, civil law and the law of civil procedure.

252.International human rights law and national human rights institutions are included in the undergraduate course of study as part of the human rights and international humanitarian law curriculum in the international law and international relations departments of the University of International Economics and Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

253.A human rights course taught to fourth-year students at the faculty of international law and to fifth-year students at the faculty of international relations includes lectures on basic human rights documents, international mechanisms for the protection of human rights, and civil and political rights. The provisions of international human rights instruments are also taught in a post-graduate course on international human rights law. The programmes of study are regularly updated so as to cover amendments and additions to the legislation.

254.Moreover, the protection of human rights is covered in the related areas of, inter alia, criminal law, law of criminal procedure and constitutional law. In the framework of a specific course on public international law for fifth-year students, 10 hours are devoted to the detailed study of international law issues involving children’s rights.

255.In addition to being taught to investigators and judges, aspects of the study of international human rights standards are included in the training programme at military education institutions of the Ministry of Defence. Elective courses have been taught since the 2005 school year, and, since the 2006 school year, the “Foundations of Military Law” block has included the sections “Humanitarian Law” and “Law of Armed Conflict”, which address human rights.

256.The Ministry of Health pays special attention to the study of human rights as part of the training and further training of doctors. In particular, in the first-degree courses in all medical schools the students are instructed, under “Forensic medicine”, in the rights of specialists, consultants and junior consultants. One of the subjects is entitled “Legal foundations of medical practice”. Emphasis is placed, in this area, on the rights and freedoms of the individual, including the rights to life, liberty and security of person, the right to protection against interference, and the inadmissibility of the use of torture or violence. Another topic is the inadmissibility of the conduct of medical or scientific experiments on a person without his or her consent. These issues are considered from the standpoint of both the patient and the medical personnel.

(e)Study of human rights in educational institutions (schools, academic and vocational secondary schools, and universities)

257.In accordance with the national programme to develop the public’s legal literacy, the national staff training programme and the Education Act, Uzbekistan has established a system of continuing legal education and training that consists of the following stages:

Stage I: Legal training in the family;

Stage II: Elementary legal instruction and training in preschool institutions;

Stage III: Legal education in secondary schools;

Stage IV: Legal education and training in academic and vocational secondary schools;

Stage V: Legal education and training in higher education institutions.

258.The first stage of legal education and instruction begins in the family, which is regarded as the foundation on which the person of a child is formed. The family has its own special place in the formation and development of legal instruction and education.

259.In preschool institutions, elementary instruction and training in the law is incorporated into the daily games and exercises. These activities are organized for children in the middle, older and preparatory groups. Children in the middle and older groups are offered 16 hours a year of instruction on the Constitution in the form of games and 7 hours in the form of recreation.

260.Instruction in concepts such as law, duty and obligation, tailored to the pupil’s age, is introduced in grades 1-4. Forty hours a year are devoted to the study of the “ABC of the Constitution”.

261.The subject matter grows more complex in grades 5- 7, with the addition of actual examples of the relationship between the State and the individual and the introduction of the topics of personal autonomy, equality of rights, freedom of speech, freedom of information and juvenile criminal liability. Fifty-one hours a year are devoted to a course entitled “Journey into the world of the Constitution”.

262.In grades 8 and 9, the main objective of legal training and civics classes consists in:

Informing students about the social and economic, political, legal, scientific and cultural development of the State;

Fostering individuals who think creatively and are able to communicate their views on vital personal issues.

263.In the above grades, 34 hours per year are devoted to studying the principles of constitutional law. At school level (grades 1-9) human rights are taught in the subjects of “Foundations of the State and law”, “Jurisprudence” and “ABC of the Constitution” (50 hours).

264.Academic and vocational secondary schools offer 68 hours of classes in jurisprudence over two years of study, providing background on various branches of the law.

265.In the preschool and general secondary education establishments of the Ministry of Education, classes are conducted on human rights, children’s rights, the combat against human trafficking and the prevention of offences against minors. In 2014, the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child were taught in the grades 1-7 as part of the subject of “The idea of national independence and the foundations of spirituality”, and in grades 8-9 as part of the subjects of “The foundations of the Uzbek State and of the law” and “Principles of constitutional law”.

266.All higher education students are given a basic grounding in the law and the Constitution, including information on human rights and how they are protected. Specialized human rights courses are taught to students at the Tashkent State University of Law, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Institute of the National Security Service, to professional lawyers at the Professional Development Centre for Lawyers of the Ministry of Justice, and to those attending the Advanced Courses of the Office of the Procurator-General.

267.In accordance with an approved plan of publications, there appear every year editions of the Codes of Uzbekistan, compilations of the legal and regulatory instruments, legal manuals and textbooks for students of higher, specialized secondary and vocational education institutions. Of the 290 titles printed in more than 820,000 copies in the last three years, 76 were published in more than 175,000 copies in 2012, 108 in more than 303,000 in 2013, and 106 in more than 342,000 in 2014.

(f)Promotion of human rights awareness through the media

268.Currently, 689 newspapers and 283 magazines are published in the country. Of the newspapers, 329 are run by the State and 360 are non-State. Of the magazines, 124 are run by the State and 159 are non-State. There function in the country 107 publishing houses, 1,807 print shops, 4 information agencies, 66 television channels and 34 radio stations. Of the television channels, 32 are run by the State and 36 are non-State). Of the radio stations, 4 are run by the State and 30 are non-State).

269.Independent television and radio channels and regional television and radio companies that are part of the National Television and Radio Company (MTRK) regularly give wide coverage to issues related to human rights protection, the relevant legal and institutional mechanisms, and related aspects of the work of civil society organizations.

270.In particular, thematic television and radio programmes, such as “Aelbakhti”, “Aelvazamon”, “Khaetvakonun”, “Konunustuvor”, “Azizim”, “Meningoilam”, “Dugonalar”, “Parlament faoliyati”, “Khamrokh”, “Mening onam khammadanyakhshi!”, “Eshlarvakonun”, “Zhinoyatvazhazo”, “Ogokhbuling”, “Khukukshunoszhavobberadi”, “Aelvazhamiyat”, “Konunvabiz”, “Nafosat” and “Nigokh” frequently report on questions related to, inter alia, gender equality, respect for human rights under emergency circumstances, guarantees for the right to life, the detection and prevention of offences involving human trafficking, assistance to victims, guarantees for rights in the area of justice, the protection of family relations, and the realization of the rights of national minorities. These subjects are also widely covered by the “Akhborot”, “Davr”, “Poytakht”, “Khabarlar” and “Dieryangiliklari” news programmes.

271.In the period 2011-2014, independent television and radio channels and regional television and radio companies that are part of MTRK prepared and carried out a total of 2,290 television and radio broadcasts, such as, in particular, “Onalarmaktabi”, “Azizim”, “Meningoilam”, “Mokhirkullar”, “Konunustuvor”, “Parlament vakti”, “Tarakkietdasturi”, “Sizningadvokatingiz”, “Davrmavzusi”, “Mavzuganigokh”, “Khimoya”, “Oramizdagiodamlar”, “Oyna” and “Atirgul”; while 238 television and radio broadcasts were devoted to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The thematic television and radio programmes “Telemushokhada”, “Munozara”, “Kuhn mavzusi”, “Erkinfikr”, “Khaet darcy”, “Khukukvaburch”, “Savolberingzhavobberamiz”, “TV-Khukuk”, “Radio advokat”, “Yuzma-goz”, “Ochikmulokot” “Insonvakonun”, “Khukukvaburch” and “Tafsilot” discuss matters related to the proper implementation of human rights legislation.

272.The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) were the subject of 273 television and radio broadcasts; while the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was the subject of 201 such broadcasts. Overall, 712 such broadcasts designed to disseminate the international human rights instruments and explain them to the public took place in the period 2011-2014.

273.Currently, television and radio broadcasts take place in more than 15 languages, including Uzbek, Karakalpak, Russian, Kazakh, Tadzhik, Kyrgyz, Crimean Tartar, Uighur, Azerbaijani, English, Korean, Turkmen, Tartar, Indian and German languages, contributing to informing the population about the life and activities of the members of the various ethnic groups that live in the country.

274.Medias participate in disseminating the provisions of the legislation among the population, involving civil society broadly in that work. Of the more than 3,136,000 educational activities organized in recent years in the area of law, 805,371 took place in 2012, 1,157,775 in 2013 and 1,173,230 in 2014, while 170,000 (59,896 in 2012, 53,284 in 2013 and 56,936 in 2014) were held directly by judicial bodies.

275.Considerable attention is paid to the production of television newsreels and publicity items on human rights, including on, inter alia, consumer rights protection; environment and health; support for young persons, education grants; promotion of entrepreneurship; the rights of orphans and children with disabilities; and the combat against human trafficking, addiction, HIV/AIDS and smoking.

276.More than 30 law journals and reviews with a focus on rights protection are published in Uzbekistan; and a database on the country’s current law has been created on the Internet (www.lex.uz).

(g)Role of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights

277.The active participation of NGOs and other civil society organizations in matters concerning the State and society is related to the adoption of various enactments that stimulate development and strengthen the social partnership between the State and the NGOs.

278.The Ecological Oversight Act of 27 December 2013 is important in that connection. The Act specifies legal mechanisms for community participation in observing and monitoring the situation so as to ensure environmental security for the citizens. The right to engage in public ecological oversight is enjoyed not only the NGOs and the local authorities, but also directly by the citizens, who are entitled to obtain information on existing conditions as regards the protection of nature.

279.Society welcomed the Act on transparency in the work of State and administrative authorities, adopted in 2014, which aims to ensure openness and transparency in the activity of State bodies, and thus to institutionalize effectively the development public oversight over at activity. The Act specifies the rights of citizens, NGOs and the media in respect of access to appropriate information subject to restrictions established by law.

280.The adoption of the Social Partnership Act of 25 September 2014, a basic enactment unique in the world, highlights the establishment of a legal framework and principles of interaction and cooperation between State bodies and civil society organizations in the social, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other fields. The Act provides for special bodies (commissions or councils) to ensure coordination of social partnership activities.

281.The Presidential Decision of 12 December 2013 on additional measures to facilitate the development of civil society institutions provided a fivefold reduction, as of 1 January 2014, of the rate of the State duty collected for the registration of NGOs. For public associations of disabled persons, veterans, women and children, the registration fee is 50 per cent of the total amount of the State duty.

282.According to the Tax Code (articles 126, 197, 257, 265, 279, 295, 312, 316 and 326), non-profit organizations are exempted from the tax on profit, the value added tax, the property tax, the legal entities land tax, the tax for social infrastructure improvement and development, and obligatory contributions to State funds-in-trust.

283.On the protection of human rights, civil society organizations cooperate closely with the national human rights institutions, including the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis and the National Centre for Human Rights.

284.In Uzbekistan, human rights activities are carried out primarily by activists of various NGOs, which not only protect the rights of their members, but also have come to understand the importance of setting up in the country a system for public monitoring and control of the activities of State agencies. They consist mainly of children’s, women’s and environmental NGOs; organizations for the disabled and the elderly; gender-equality centres; and professional societies, foundations, associations, unions and committees that bring citizens together on the basis of their interests.

285.The National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of Uzbekistan (NANNOUz), created in 2005 in order to coordinate the activities of NGOs in the country, has a current membership of 330 Uzbek NGOs that encompass all spheres of the life of society and operate in various fields (inter alia, social support, law, women, youth, and the environment. NANNOUz regularly conducts public hearings with representatives of the sectors of health, education, environmental protection, employment and the population’s social protection; and, in cooperation with the National Centre for Human Rights, monitors the accessibility of means of transport to disabled persons.

286.The participation of the association for national monitoring of child labour in cotton farming in 2014 was a significant practical step towards effective public oversight. Based on the findings of such monitoring, 19 heads of educational institutions and farms incurred administrative liability, and recommendations were drawn up for State bodies, ministries, departments and civil society organizations.

287.The Independent Institute for Monitoring the Development of Civil Society (NIMFOGO)carries out a series of measures aimed at fulfilling the tasks specified in the policy framework for further deepening democratic reforms and establishing civil society in the country, and implements, in its regional offices, a procedure for monitoring the media democratization and liberalization process.

288.As part of a group of experts, the Institute participated in the preparation of the Public Oversight, Social Partnership, Ecological Oversight, and Television and Radio Broadcasting Acts, the Act on transparency in the work of State and administrative authorities, the Act on the economic activities of the media, the Guaranteed State Support for the Medias Act, the Local Authorities Act, the Act on the election of the chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers, the Act on amendments and additions to the Administrative Liability Code, the national plan of action on human rights, and the national programme for raising public awareness of the law.

289.The Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan provides coordination and advisory services on matters of policy relating to women. It was established in 1991 and is funded from the State budget. One unique feature of this national mechanism is that its chairperson also holds the post of Deputy Prime Minister, a circumstance which entitles the Committee to coordinate a social partnership between governmental organizations and NGOs. The Committee, which has regional branches, initiates, coordinates and implements the Government’s policies, programmes and projects designed to improve the status of women, counsels the Government on women’s issues and disseminates pertinent information to women.

290.The international non-governmental foundation Soglom Avlod Uchun (“For a Healthy Generation”) was set up in 1993 with broad public support. Its fundamental aim is to facilitate the creation and development of a well integrated personality in children. To that end, it formulates and implements humanitarian, medical and educational programmes and projects to support gifted children and encourage a healthy lifestyle, and programmes targeted at vulnerable population groups, children and young persons. The foundation operates in 14 regions of the country, and every region has a focal point. It has a total of over 180 local offices and more than 250 persons (physicians, teachers and economists) working throughout the country on the implementation of existing programmes and the formulation of new ones. In the period 2011-2014, the medical and social centre and 14 mobile medical- and social-assistance teams of the foundation assessed the state of health of the population, especially women of child-bearing age, children and adolescents in 3,674 villages and 9,245 makhallyas (communities). The teams assessed the state of health and social situation of 111,951 families and carried out medical examinations for 707,210 persons, including 350,220 women (including 287,600 women of child-bearing age and 62,620 older women); 192,182 children; 128,283 adolescents (including 101,963 girls); and 36,525 men.

291.One of the largest NGOs involved in young persons’ rights is the Kamolot Youth Movement of Uzbekistan. Since 2010, the Movement has been cooperating with the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the National Centre for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis in order to ensure respect for the rights and interests of young persons. The Movement participated in the preparation of the Youth Policy (Foundations) Act, the Act on the Limitation of the Prevalence and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco Products, and the Prevention of Child Neglect and Juvenile Delinquency Ac, and presented approximately 300 constructive proposals.

292.The Sen Yolg’iz Emassan (“You Are Not Alone”) Republican Public Children’s Fund began operations in Uzbekistan in 2002. The primary mission of the fund is to provide comprehensive assistance in creating the conditions necessary for a decent life and full development for children, to maintain the primacy of the family and to see to it that the necessary steps are taken to provide the greatest protection of the interests of children who are acutely in need of society’s support (orphans, children deprived of parental care, neglected children, disabled children and children from poor families). In the period 2011-2014, during October and November of every year, on the Fund’s initiative, highly qualified medical staff of the Ministry of Health conducted a thorough preventive medical examination of the inmates of Mekhribonlik homes and SOS children’s villages. The examination covered 6,000 children deprived of parental care, who also received help in the form of treatment and rehabilitation.

293.Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 10 of 10 January 1992 established the Republican Inter-Nations Cultural Centre, which coordinates activities and provides practical and instructional assistance to national cultural centres and thereby actively participates in meeting the needs of members of the various nationalities and peoples who live in the country. The Centre participates in joint events with ministries and departments, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regional, municipal and district authorities and voluntary organizations in implementing a single State policy for relations between ethnic groups. The Centre represents the country’s ethnic cultural centres at meetings of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In particular, in 2010 and 2014, the director of the Centre participated in the meetings of that Committee, where he presented the implementation of the country’s national policy.

294.The right of trade unions to engage in public oversight, and its form, scope and methods, are enshrined in the Constitution, the Labour Code and the Act on trade unions, their rights and guarantees relating to their activities. The scope of oversight includes such fields as working conditions, workers’ remuneration, occupational health and safety, social protection, housing conditions, social insurance, promotion of the workers’ health and cultural interests, and the employment situation. More than 150 legal and regulatory instruments on social and work-related matters were prepared with the direct participation of trade unions. The instruments include, inter alia, the Social Partnership Act, the Act on transparency in the work of State and administrative authorities, the Individuals’ and Legal Entities’ Applications Act, and the Family Business Act.

295.The trade unions engage in public oversight to ensure compliance with the ILO conventions ratified by Uzbekistan. A coordinating board on child labour issues has been functioning successfully since 2013. Consisting of senior members of the Council of the Federation of Trade Unions and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, civil society bodies and international organizations, the board coordinates efforts to eradicate the worst forms of child labour and participates in the formulation of the relevant national policy.

255.The Nuronni foundation for the social support of veterans was established by a presidential decree dated 4 December 1996 to enhance the effectiveness of State policy on the social protection of veterans and enhance their role in consolidating the country’s independence and sovereignty. According to the presidential decree and the foundation’s statutes, it is a self-governing, self-financing and independent NGO. Its main purpose is to promote vigorously the implementation of a strong social policy, especially in terms of respect for veterans, persons with disabilities and the elderly, to establish a favourable social environment for them and to provide them with material, medical and moral support.

F.Significance of the reporting process as a means for promoting human rights at the national level

296.As a State party to international human rights treaties, Uzbekistan regularly presents reports to the United Nations treaty bodies with regard to the following instruments:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Human Rights Committee);

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights);

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women);

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Committee on Torture);

Convention on the Rights of the Child (Committee on the Rights of the Child).

297.Pursuant to a Government decision of 13 November 1966, the agency that collects information and prepares national reports on compliance with the provisions of international human rights treaties is the National Centre for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan. More than 40 State bodies, entrusted with the fulfilment of the country’s international obligations in respect of human rights and freedoms, more than 30 NGOs, and the local authorities participate in the preparation of reports.

298.Uzbekistan presents to the treaty bodies not only national reports, but also, as part of the thematic special procedures of the Human Rights Council, updated information on the human rights and freedoms situation. In 2014, information was provided regarding, inter alia, the reduction of child mortality, labour migration and the security of journalists.

299.National reports are prepared in accordance with the following documents:

Guidelines for reporting to international human rights treaty monitoring bodies, including the compilation of guidelines on the form and content of reports to be submitted by States parties to the international human rights treaties;

General recommendations of committees;

Concluding observations of the United Nations convention committees on the results of the review of periodic reports of Uzbekistan;

International human rights treaties;

New human rights enactments of Uzbekistan;

Latest law-enforcement and rights-protection practices.

300.The National Centre for Human Rights has established special procedures for discussing national reports on the fulfilment of international human rights obligations at the meetings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the interdepartmental working group to monitor the observance of human rights by law enforcement agencies. Thus, in 2014, the interdepartmental working group examined the following items:

Results of the consideration of the country’s eighth and ninth periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;

Preparation for the consideration of the country’s second report on the implementation of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights, and of the country’s fifth report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

Information on the preparation and consideration of the daft national plan of action for implementing the recommendations of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations treaty bodies following consideration of the national reports of Uzbekistan in the sphere of human rights, 2014-2016.

III.Implementation of substantive human rights provisions common to all or several treaties

H.Non-discrimination and equality

301.The Constitution is the primary legislative instrument ensuring that fundamental human rights and freedoms are upheld even-handedly in the political, economic, social, cultural and other spheres of public life. Article 8 of the Constitution provides the following constitutional definition of the “people of Uzbekistan”: “The people of Uzbekistan consist of the citizens of Uzbekistan regardless of their ethnicity”.

302.The Constitution reflects all the fundamental principles of equality before the law and the ban on discrimination that derive from the international instruments to which Uzbekistan has acceded. All Uzbek legislation accords citizens equal liberties and equality before the law regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, social origins, beliefs, and personal or social status (article 18 of the Constitution).

303.An examination of Uzbek legislation reveals that the provisions of international human rights treaties are fully reflected in many legal and regulatory instruments.

304.Under article 15 of the Principles of State Independence Act of 31 August 1991, in the territory of Uzbekistan, Uzbek citizenship is established in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

305.Article 6 of the Referendum Act (new version) of 30 August 2001 prohibits “any direct or indirect restrictions on the rights of citizens to participate in a referendum on the grounds of origin, social group, gender, education or language”.

306.Under article 4 of the Education Act of 29 August 1997, everyone is guaranteed equal rights to education, regardless of gender, language, age, racial or ethnic origin, beliefs, attitude towards religion, social origin, occupation, social status, place of residence, or length of residence in the territory of Uzbekistan.

307.Under article 6 of the Labour Code of 21 December 1995, all citizens have equal opportunities with regard to the possession and exercise of labour rights. The imposition of any restrictions or the granting of privileges in the area of labour relations on the basis of gender, age, race, ethnic background, language, social origin, property and employment status, views on religion, beliefs, membership of voluntary associations or other considerations not related to employees’ qualifications and the results of their work is unacceptable and shall be deemed to constitute discrimination.

308.Under article 10 of the Individuals’ and Legal Entities’ Applications Act of 3 December 2014, discrimination with regard to the citizens’ right to appeal on the basis of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, convictions and personal or social status is prohibited.

309.Article 7 (4) of the Pretrial Detention during Criminal Proceedings Act of 29 September 2011 prohibits discrimination against detainees and remand prisoners on grounds of gender, race, ethnic group, language, religion, social origin, beliefs and personal or social status.

310.Article 6 (2) of the Advertising Act of 25 December 1998 stipulates that “discrimination in advertising is prohibited on grounds of gender, race, ethnic background, language, religion, social origin, beliefs, personal or social status, other characteristics or discrimination against the products of other persons”.

311.Article 5 of the Criminal Code stipulates that offenders have the same rights and obligations and are equal before the law, with no distinction as to gender, race, ethnic background, language, religion, social origin, beliefs and personal or social status.

312.Article 16 of the Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that justice in criminal cases is to be administered on the principle that citizens are equal before the law and the courts, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, language, religion, social origin or personal or social status.

313.The Guarantees of Attorney’s Activity and Social Protection Act of 25 December 1998 ensures the right of citizens to engage in the legal profession, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, language, religion, social origin, beliefs or personal or social status.

314.The legal system in Uzbekistan stipulates serious penalties for violations of citizens’ equality. The Administrative Liability Code prescribes fines for violating the citizens’ right to free choice of language in upbringing and education, for obstructing or restricting the use of a language, and for manifesting disrespect towards the State language or other languages of the nations and nationalities living in Uzbekistan.

315.Article 141 of the Criminal Code prescribes criminal sentences for the violation of equality of rights. This category of offences is addressed in chapter VII of the Code, which lists offences against the citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms.

316.The concept of discrimination as set out in article 141 of the Criminal Code is practically the same as in article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The difference between the two wordings lies in the fact that the Convention defines discrimination as aimed at “nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life”. The omission of such aims in article 1 of the Constitution does not affect the definition of the act itself.

317.Article 156 of the Criminal Code specifies criminal liability for incitement to ethnic, racial or religious hatred, namely deliberate acts that denigrate national honour or dignity and are committed for the purpose of inciting hostility towards, intolerance of or discord among any population group on national, racial or ethnic grounds, as well as for the direct or indirect restriction of privileges, or the granting of direct or indirect privileges, on the basis of national, racial or ethnic affiliation.

318.Article 153 of the Criminal Code stipulates punishment for genocide, namely the deliberate creation of conditions of life designed to bring about total or partial physical extermination, enforced birth control or the transfer of children from one group of people to another; and for issuing instructions to carry out such acts.

319.In an effort to promote equality, the Oliy Majlis is currently drafting and adopting legislation on, inter alia, equal rights and opportunities for men and women, on social partnership, on public oversight, and on a children’s ombudsman.

Annexes

Annex 1

National reports submitted by Uzbekistan to United Nations treaty bodies, 2011 -2014

	Reports	Treaty bodies	Date of submission
1.	Initial report on the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict	Committee on the Rights of the Child	2011
2.	Initial report on the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography	Committee on the Rights of the Child	2011
3.	Fourth periodic report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment	Committee on Torture	2011
4.	Eighth and ninth periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination	Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination	2012
5.	Second national report on human rights within the framework of the universal periodic review	Human Rights Council	2012
6.	Fourth periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights	Human Rights Committee	2013
7.	Fifth periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women	Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women	2014

Annex 2

Permanent population of Uzbekistan by ethnic group

	1 January 2014
Total	30 492 812
Uzbeks	25 342 568
Karakalpaks	673 093
Russians	795 010
Ukrainians	74 151
Belarusians	19 222
Kazakhs	800 095
Azerbaijanis	40 985
Kyrgyz	264 115
Tajiks	1 473 259
Armenians	36 320
Turkmen	182 581
Tatars	207 450
Jews	10 210
Other	573 753

Annex 3

Breakdown of the population by gender and age (Thousands, at start of year)

	2011	2012	2013	2014
Both genders	Male	Female	Both genders	Male	Female	Both genders	Male	Female	Both genders	Male	Female
Total	29 123.4	14 568.4	14 555.0	29 555.4	14 792.5	14 762.9	29 993.5	15 018.7	14 974.8	30 492.8	15 277.5	15 215.3
0-2	1 922.5	991.6	930.9	1 895.0	980.1	914.9	1 865.1	966.3	898.8	1 895.0	983.0	912.0
3-5	1 677.1	862.4	814.7	1 788.5	919.6	868.9	1 883.5	969.5	914.0	1 916.9	988.4	928.5
6-7	1 033.1	531.0	502.1	1 056.4	542.7	513.7	1 070.9	550.7	520.2	1 148.6	590.4	558.2
8-15	4 466.6	2 286.8	2 179.8	4 311.2	2 209.7	2 101.5	4 221.3	2 163.3	2 058.0	4 156.1	2 131.1	2 025.0
16-17	1 276.8	651.2	625.6	1 274.7	650.3	624.4	1 263.1	646.1	617.0	1 201.1	615.6	585.5
18-19	1 344.2	682.5	661.7	1 313.2	669.2	644.0	1 272.0	648.8	623.2	1 270.6	648.3	622.3
20-24	3 145.7	1 594.7	1 551.0	3 188.9	1 616.7	1 572.2	3 215.4	1 633.2	1 582.2	3 232.0	1 643.8	1 588.2
25-29	2 681.2	1 345.7	1 335.5	2 807.8	1 411.3	1 396.5	2 927.5	1 473.3	1 454.2	3 019.7	1 522.8	1 496.9
30-34	2 212.7	1 108.6	1 104.1	2 263.7	1 135.0	1 128.7	2 342.1	1 174.3	1 167.8	2 425.4	1 215.8	1 209.6
35-39	1 977.4	988.9	988.5	2 014.1	1 008.9	1 005.2	2 030.2	1 014.5	1 015.7	2 065.5	1 030.8	1 034.7
40-49	3 339.5	1 624.2	1 715.3	3 385.4	1 647.4	1 738.0	3 439.7	1 680.1	1 759.6	3 492.5	1 711.6	1 780.9
50-59	2 308.5	1 119.3	1 189.2	2 452.2	1 188.8	1 263.4	2 573.4	1 246.5	1 326.9	2 700.6	1 306.5	1 394.1
60-69	895.8	427.7	468.1	948.8	451.6	497.2	1 027.0	486.2	540.8	1,126.5	531.1	595.4
70-74	384.3	173.8	210.5	378.9	171.6	207.3	372.0	170.3	201.7	335.6	155.5	180.1
75-79	221.9	93.1	128.8	232.5	99.6	132.9	236.1	101.9	134.2	249.5	108.0	141.5
80-84	132.1	53.6	78.5	134.1	53.0	81.1	135.0	51.9	83.1	138.5	52.7	85.8
85 or older	104.0	33.3	70.7	110.0	37.0	73.0	119.2	41.8	77.4	118.7	42.1	76.6

Annex 4

Basic social and economic indicators of Uzbekistan

	Unit	2011	2012	2013	2014
GDP (in current prices)	Billion sum	78 764.2	97 929.3	119,750.4	144 867 .9 ( 1 )
Consumer price index (in December of the previous year)	%	107.6	107.0	106.8	106.1
Total number of employed workers	Thousand	11 919.1	12 223.8	12 523.3	12 818.4 ( 1 )
Unemployed persons ( 2 )	Thousand	622.4	626.3	639.7	687.0 ( 1 )
Unemployment rate ( 3 )	%	5.0	4.9	4.9	5.1 ( 1 )
Births	Person	622 835	625 106	679 519	721 489 ( 1 )
Deaths	Person	143 253	145 988	145 672	150 363 ( 1 )
Marriages	Marriage	287 793	299 048	304 859	295 641 ( 1 )
Divorces	Divorce	18 603	17 879	24 025	28 706 ( 1 )
Adult literacy rate	%	99.9	100.0	100.0	100.0
Average household size	Persons	5.1	5.1	5.0	5.0
Estimated number of households	Thousand	5 741.6	5 830.7	6 010.3	6 102.5
- Of which, households consisting of single women with or without children	%	3.7	3.5	3.3	3.2
Morbidity (for all classes of disease) based on first diagnosis	100 , 000 persons	45 557.9	48 065.2	48 087.5	….
- Of which, infectious and parasitic diseases	100 , 000 persons	1 112.3	1 099.9	1 151.9	….
Use of contraception:
- Intra-uterine coils	per 1 , 000 women aged 15-49	46.9	47.7	47.9	….
- Hormonal medication	per 1 , 000 women aged 15-49	4.9	4.4	3.8	….
- Abortions, including mini-abortions	per 100 births	6.4	6.2	5.9	….
per 1,000 women aged 15-49	4.6	4.4	4.5	….
Pupils (students) per 1 teacher (excluding substitute instructors) in:
- General educational establishments	Persons	11.2	11.4	11.5	11.9
- Academic secondary schools	Persons	14.2	14.3	13.6	12.8
- Vocational secondary schools	Persons	19.2	19.0	16.5	15.8
- Higher education institutions	Persons	11.3	11.3	11.2	10.7

( 1 ) Preliminary data.

( 2 ) Based on the method for calculating unemployment specified in Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 106 of 24 May 2007.

(3) .. Ratio of unemployed workers to the economically active population.

Annex 5

Cases heard by Uzbek courts, 2011-2014

Year	Civil cases	Criminal cases/ persons tried	Remand in custody	Of which, cases in which remand in custody was denied on appeal
2011	305 227	58 640/ 85 670	11 867	11
2012	161 714	52 855 /75 189	12 641	10
2013	173 734	52 044 / 73 370	11 012	3
2014	217 147	52171 /73 276	9 803	5

Annex 6

Citizens’ communications received by the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Oliy Majlis

	Communications received:	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Total
1.	In the Central Office of the Ombudsman, including:	7 124	7 134	7 658	7 712	7 938	37 566
	- From the regions of the country	6 753	6 862	6 511	6 609	6 940	33 675
- From foreign citizens	299	26	792	794	584	2 495
- From prisons	49	155	168	116	112	600
- Anonymous communications	6	20	29	9	5	69
- Through the Internet	17	50	138	163	275	643
- From ombudsmen of other countries	22	21	20	21	22	106
2.	Concerning repeated occurrences	1 983	2 653	3 710	2 317	2 205	12 868
3.	Through a helpline	624	702	563	725	822	3 436
4.	From regional representatives of the Ombudsman	888	749	895	979	893	4 404
	Total	10 619	11 238	12 826	11 733	11 858	58 274