UNITED NATIONS: Representative of Uzbekistan has been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) for the first time in the history of the country.
Elections for nine members of the HRC for the 2025-2028 term were held on May 29, at the UN headquarters in New York, during the 40th session of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Representatives from 16 countries including Burundi, Croatia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Lithuania, Morocco, Paraguay, the Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Spain, Togo, Uzbekistan and South Africa competed for the nine seats in the HRC.
In a historic victory, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights and an academician from Uzbekistan, received the highest number of votes from ICCPR member states. This marks the first time Uzbekistan, and indeed any Central Asian nation has joined this key UN body.
The United Nations has acknowledged the contributions of Uzbekistan on the international stage. This progress is attributed to specific steps implemented under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan. These measures include combating domestic violence, eradicating child and forced labor, empowering women and girls, improving conditions for vulnerable populations, ensuring gender equality, and maintaining an open dialogue on all matters within the UN human rights agenda.
Uzbekistan’s election to the Human Rights Committee proves the country’s commitment to ensuring and protecting human rights through constructive interaction with global human rights structures. It will be held in Uzbekistan to actively engage in decision-making processes and exchange best practices in this area.
It is pertinent to mention that the Human Rights Committee is a UN body comprising of independent experts who monitor the implementation of the ICCPR by state parties.
There are 173 states in the pact. Uzbekistan acceded to this international agreement in 1995. The Committee’s activities are focused on ensuring full respect for all civil and political human rights.
