Children’s Ombudsman to be established in Uzbekistan

 The President signed a decree “On measures to further improve the system for ensuring the rights of the child”.

The document approved the proposals of the Oliy Majlis chambers on:

- the establishment of the institution of the Oliy Majlis ombudsman for the rights of the child (Children’s Ombudsman);
- the abolition of the post of the Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights of Oliy Majlis (Ombudsman) – Commissioner for the Rights of the Child.

The Children’s Ombudsman exercises his powers independently of state bodies and their officials, is accountable for his activities to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis and is elected for a term of five years.

The candidacy for the post of children’s ombudsman will be submitted to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“Transform the republican interdepartmental commission on minors’ affairs, interdepartmental commissions on juvenile affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent, districts (cities), respectively, into a national commission on children, commissions on children of Karakalpakstan, regions, the city of Tashkent and districts (cities), respectively,” the document says.

The main tasks of the national commission are:

- ensuring the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the child, his healthy lifestyle;
- rendering assistance in the physical, intellectual, spiritual and moral education of children;
- taking measures to prevent deprivation of parental care for children;
- organization of the development and implementation of state and other programs in the field of prevention of neglect and delinquency among children, as well as control over their implementation, etc.

From September 1, within the Secretariat for Education and Health of the Cabinet of Ministers, a child protection sector with 3 staff units, financed from the state budget, will be formed.