Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities celebrated in Uzbekistan
On 28 July 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) co-organized the official ceremony dedicated to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the Republic of Uzbekistan attended by 150 participants. This high-level event was organized in partnership with the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Country Team.
Opening remarks were delivered by Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber and Director of the National Human Rights Centre; Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate; Gairat Fazilov, Deputy Foreign Minister; Jorge Araya, Secretary of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Ryszard Komenda, Head of the United Nations Regional Office for OHCHR in Central Asia, and Pierre von Arx, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. Speakers stated the importance of ratifying the Convention by noting that this is only the beginning towards its implementation. Civil society representatives from the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan, PCUz’s longstanding partner, and leaders of the Uzbek Society of Disabled People and the Society of Blind People of Uzbekistan also spoke.
Von Arx said: “This is a great result of the joint work between the Government, civil society, other organizations and committees, including the National Human Rights Centre, and the UN Country Team and my team of OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan.” He added that the OSCE is ready to support the next step to develop and implement a National Action Plan and commended the government for putting in place an inclusive process by including NGOs dealing with the rights of people with disabilities.
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been advocating for many years for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and through its project on the “Support to the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan” is planning to support the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan towards implementing the Convention.