CIVIL SOCIETY OBSERVER

IN UZBEKISTAN

The monthly newsletter by the Nationwide movement "Yuksalish" and the Institute for Socio-Economic Initiatives. 

           Newsletter #3                                                                                                                           July 5, 2020

Uzbekistan approves the National Human Rights Strategy 

The National Human Rights Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Roadmap for its implementation have been approved by presidential decree on June 22, 2020.

According to the roadmap on implementation of the Strategy, the draft law will be developed, which provides individuals and legal entities the right to submit issues to the constitutional court. At present only Oliy Majlis, the President, the Speaker of the Legislative chamber, the Chairman of the Senate, and only a number of other governmental bodies have this right.

The development of draft laws “On Public Events”, “On the Bar and Advocacy”, “On Equal treatment and Non-discrimination”, “On Privatization”, “On Labour migration” and other is planned under the road map. Furthermore, draft legislation “On States of Emergency” is to be developed, which implies the norms to regulate relations that can occur after a state of emergency is declared, including the rights of individuals and entities.

In addition, the Business Code, the Healthcare Code and the Environmental Code, new versions of the Civil, Labor, Housing and Criminal procedure Codes, as well as the Code on Administrative responsibility and the Code on Non-governmental Organizations to be drafted. The latter implies the right of citizens to unite in non-governmental and non-commercial organizations and the means of exercising this right. Legal framework for CSOs, in particular, the NGO registration procedures to be improved, the monitoring mechanisms over the activity of the governmental agencies to be strengthened. The formation of institutions such as “the public inspector”, “the public observer”, “the public commission” which will control the implementation of international and national human rights and freedoms law is also meant under the Strategy.

The initiator of the legislation presents it before it is vetted by the Legislative Chamber

The Bill was adopted which will require the presentation of draft legislation by the initiator before it is vetted by the Legislative Chamber.

According to the current legislation, after the draft law is introduced by the initiative body, it is going to be submitted to discussion and protected by the deputies on the first and further readings. However, the efficiency of such practice is questioned. 

In order to increase the responsibility of legislators in the law-making process, the bill  “On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted on the second reading of the Legislative Chamber. 

The document developed by the deputies amends the relevant articles of the laws “On the regulations of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On the procedure for preparing draft laws and introducing them to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. That will require the presentation of draft legislation by the initiator before it is vetted by the Legislative Chamber and thereby leading apart from the enhancement of consideration also to the improvement of legislative proposals being initiated.

The civil society has the legal base to introduce innovations into the production 

The Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan approved the law "On innovation activity" at the fifth plenary meeting on June 19, 2020. 

This document is a logical continuation of the law “On Science and Scientific Activities” and provides a link between science and production.

The law regulates legal, economic, and organizational relations in the field of innovation and innovational activity. The document will become the legal basis for individuals and legal entities, including scientists, entrepreneurs, non-governmental non-profit organizations that face difficulties in introducing their developments into production.

The main directions of the state policy in this area are the support and stimulation of participants in innovation, attracting investment, the development of public-private partnerships, and the development of international cooperation.

The principles of innovation are called freedom of innovation, ensuring equal access to state support, protecting intellectual property, and not harming human life, health, and the environment.

The NGO "Logos" of Uzbekistan organized a public hearing on environmental issues

A public hearing on the implementation of National goals and targets in the field of sustainable development 2030 and activities within the framework of the “road map” to support the activities of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for human security for the Aral Sea region was held in Tashkent in the format of a videoconference.

The organizers - NGO “Logos”, the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan, the Committee on Ecology and Environmental protection of the Legislative chamber of the Oliy Majlis — timed the event to the World Environment Day, which is widely celebrated on June 5 each year.

The First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative chamber of the Oliy Majlis Mr. Akmal Saidov, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Council of the Environmental party of Uzbekistan Mr. Boriy Alikhanov made a welcoming speech. Along with parliamentarians, the UN permanent coordinator in Uzbekistan Mrs. Helena Fraser, OSCE project coordinator in Uzbekistan Mr. John McGregor, and environmental NGO activists participated in the discussions.

Regions host Public Hearing sessions

The Public Council under the city administration of Kokand (Ferghana region)- a member of the “Partnership for Innovation” program hosted a public hearing on the state of healthcare on July 3.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a meeting on February 25, 2020, where he pointed out a number of tasks to improve the quality of medical services and develop the healthcare system. How are the tasks set by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to improve the healthcare system on the example of the city of Kokand fulfilled, what disadvantages and barriers impede the improvement of the quality of medical care for the population?

The main goal is to get familiarized with the work carried out in the healthcare system in Kokand, develop recommendations for improving the quality of medical care.

Key findings and recommendations:

- Enrichment of the medical entities with the material and technical means;

- Ensure the staffing of the public school with a sufficient number of school nurses and psychologists;

- Professional medical staff should be returned to the district clinics. At the moment, there is a high deficiency of high-profile medical staff at the district clinics;

- It is recommended to open up medical units in the mahalla that will unload the ambulance. This idea was immediately supported by the public health department, and they are ready to supply all necessary items with such items if premises are provided;

- The positive tendency is observed with a decrease in infectious diseases due to the fact that people started washing hands with soap more often;

- In order to prevent corruption, it is highly recommended to take measures on ensuring that doctors and pharmaceutical companies do not abuse patients' prescriptions for the sake of selling drugs;

- Make doctors responsible for the prescribed drugs to the patients.

Deputies of the local Kengash (Council), members of the Public Council at the administration, as well as representatives of the Kokand city Administration, the city health department, NGOs, and the media attended the public hearing.

The Partnership for Innovation program in Uzbekistan is implemented by the Nationwide movement together with the Civil Society Development Association ARGO (Kazakhstan) with the financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Youth engagement

in decision-making processes 

The nationwide Yuksalish movement, the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, and the partners of the U-Report project in Uzbekistan held a dialogue “Involving young people in the processes of ongoing reforms and decision-making”, dedicated to the Youth Day of Uzbekistan.

The online event was attended by parliamentarians of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, heads of UN agencies, heads of state and public organizations, and young people from all regions of the country.

The participants discussed a number of issues related to the process of interaction between the state and youth. In particular,  the results of dialogues organized between government bodies and young people of Uzbekistan through the U-Report platform and the practical measures taken by government bodies based on the views of young people were discussed. The role of the U-Report platform in bringing government and youth closer together to find joint solutions to issues related to the lives of young people was noted as significant.

Survey results on the U-Report platform are used by about 20 state and public organizations, such as the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the ministries of public education, justice, innovative development, the Oil Center, and UN agencies.

Hot topics in blogs 

15.06.20

"The fundamental reform of the internal affairs ministry is needed", -

Akmal Burkhanov (Member of the Parliament)

15.06.20

"We have to openly say it: this is shame", - Ulugbek Mukhammadiev (Ombudsman)

Ulugbek Muhammadiev, the the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Ombudsman) states that the issue of torture has been leaving a stain on Uzbekistan for many years. Such cases are reported repeatedly. Every year the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan submits a report to the Parliament. The last two years Ombudsman has been publishing information about torture – and unfortunately still receives complaints from citizens. Most of these complaints are related to the actions of the staff of the Ministry of interior. 

Recently the Ministry of Interior have expressed their apologies  to the family of the late resident of Andijan 

Appointments 

The Senate approved the appointment of Ms. Feruza Makhmudova as an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the State of Israel.

She is the only female Ambassador representing Uzbekistan abroad nowadays. 

CSOs are concerned

The Decree of the President on the establishment of a Public Chamber of Uzbekistan is not being implemented - the due date for the operational start of the Public Chamber was in May 2020.

Point of view

Dilmurad Yusupov, doctoral researcher at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) University of Sussex who is advocating for disability rights and inclusive development in Uzbekistan and Central Asia shares his article on the new law "On education" that introduced the concept of inclusion for the first time. The law is under the revision of the Parliament and the author highlights the important points, that are missing in the legal document. 

Other News

“THE PUBLIC DIALOGUE” discussion platform

The Nationwide movement “Yuksalish” and the National association of the Electronic mass media have launched the discussion platform “Public dialogue” that has become a new form of interaction between civil society and public authorities and the government. It is based on weekly resonant events, current problems that concern the population. On the one hand, members of the public can get answers to the questions posed, and on the other, government agencies have the opportunity to clarify the position with further endorsement of elaborated proposals to the Parliament and the Presidential administration. Representatives of the mass-media ensure the coverage of the discussions.

The discussions of the past three weeks have covered the following topics:

• COVID-19 Pandemic: Socio-Political Situation and Stability
• The challenges and problems in the internal affairs bodies openly and constructively
• The focus of the public - the problems of drug trafficking

"Nodavlat Sector" resource platform for NGOs

A new platform for NGOs has been launched in Uzbekistan, which regularly provides information on opportunities in Uzbek and Russian from international funds and organizations on: 

• Internships
• Awards
• Grants
• Scholarships

The platform is available for partner organizations to announce their Calls for project proposals for SCOs in Uzbekistan by sending a letter of inquiry. 

Th Parliament supports the local CSO

Since April 2020, the Public Fund for support of NGOs and other CSOs under the Parliament announced 4 Calls for proposals on the topics:  

1. "Increasing the activity of civil society institutions in ensuring a healthy socio-spiritual and medical environment in society and the family";
2. Ensuring the active participation of civil society institutions in the implementation of the Strategy of Action, the State Program "Year of the Development of Science, Education and the Digital Economy";
3. “Education of youth in the spirit of fidelity to the native land, the formation of the initiative, dedication, moral qualities”;
4. "The priority is the interests of man"

The finalist civil society organizations    are   granted  40 million UZS for implementation of their local initiatives

COVID-19 situation in Uzbekistan

The Center for Tolerance to be established in Ferghana

The creation of the Center for Tolerance is envisaged in the framework of the project “Cross-border and Intersectoral Dialogue for Tolerance and Peace in Central Asia”, which was developed by the Nationwide movement “Yuksalish” together with the representative office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia and civil society organizations of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The project aims to raise awareness of the region's population about the causes of interethnic conflicts, create opportunities for local civil society institutions, in particular youth initiatives, to become participants in a cross-border dialogue aimed at promoting mutual understanding and deepening relations between people. It is expected that, based on the results, sustainable formats will be created to effectively combat stereotypes and create alternative narratives.

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