OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan helps organize roundtable on harmonizing laws to strengthen role of human rights ombudsman

TASHKENT, 12 July 2007 - A roundtable on harmonizing national legislation with the law on Uzbekistan's human right ombudsman took place in Tashkent yesterday and made recommendations on how to amend laws to improve the role of the ombudsman.

The event was part of an OSCE Ombudsman Capacity Building project and was jointly organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

"Undoubtedly, the focus of the roundtable is very important and topical. Working out how to harmonize national legislation with the Law on the Ombudsman of Uzbekistan will help to strengthen the Ombudsman's legal status and allow that person to carry out the envisaged role of promoting and protecting human rights," said Ambassador Miroslav Jenca, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

The agenda of the roundtable included discussions on how to improve the legislation on the Ombudsman and how to strengthen the legal instruments covering the Ombudsman's activity. The participants developed recommendations on amendments to national legislation, with the aim of consolidating the role of the Ombudsman in the system of national human rights institutions.

The Ombudswoman of Uzbekistan, Sayyora Rashidova, said if the roundtable's recommendations were adopted they would help to strengthen further the legal guarantees for the activity of the Authorised Person for Human Rights and improve co-operation with the government, courts and police.

The roundtable gathered representatives of both Chambers of the Uzbek Parliament, different ministries and state structures, law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies and law academics. Foreign experts from the Ombudsman Offices of Spain, Russia and Azerbaijan also attended the roundtable with the support of the OSCE.