Democracy in Uzbekistan 

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

      Newsletter #9                                                                                                           January 5, 2021 

This publication is prepared within the frames of the "Partnership for Innovation-P4I" program and is made possible by the support of the
American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government

The Address of the President is a signal to the public

The Presidential Address to the Oliy Majlis is one of the key events in the socio-political life of Uzbekistan, followed not only by citizens, representatives of government agencies, and national experts but also by representatives of the international community. Since it is the Address that determines the key areas of activity, guidelines for the coming year.

The head of state stressed that Uzbekistan will not deviate from the path of democratic reforms, thereby confirming the inevitability of large-scale transformations aimed at ensuring human rights and legitimate interests.

What is noteworthy, from a high rostrum, carte blanche was given to civil activists, the media, and the public. They will become one of the main participants in the reform process: from identifying problems on the ground and exercising public oversight to actively interacting with government agencies and implementing projects to solve socially significant problems.

In particular, on the basis of social state contracts, non-governmental non-profit organizations will be involved in determining the real picture in the regions, in-depth analysis of problems at different levels, in developing proposals for solving and ensuring public control over their implementation. At the same time, the emphasis will be given primarily in such areas as education, culture, medicine, ecology, construction, cadastral registration, transport, utilities, employment, social services. For these purposes, in 2021, it is planned to allocate 60 billion UZS from the state budget, which is twice as much as in 2019.

Another initiative of the President to support civil society institutions, to further enhance their role and participation in the decision-making process is the creation of the institution of a permanent representative of non-governmental non-profit organizations in the Legislative Chamber. The representative will be empowered to participate in meetings of the lower house of parliament, to make proposals on how the issues of effective public control and social partnership are reflected in the adopted laws.

Civil society institutions deal with the problems of people of a social nature, economic development, state, and public administration. They are well aware of the real state of affairs on the ground and carry out various studies. But it often happens that they cannot transfer the results of their studies anywhere, or they transfer them and do not know whether they will be taken into account or not. The presence of a permanent representative of NGOs in the Legislative Chamber will ensure the inclusiveness of the adoption of laws, the reflection of the results of studies of civil society institutions, their opinions while improving legislation. An NGO representative will be able to involve a large number of NGOs in the process of discussing and considering draft laws. Moreover, it will be possible to use the potential and competencies of employees and activists of public organizations in law enforcement practice, the implementation of effective public control over the implementation of legislation in the field.

The implementation of these tasks will contribute to increased citizens' engagement, public organizations, their participation in the process of transforming all areas, promotion of new initiatives on the ground, accountability of public authorities.

The first online meeting on the establishment of the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asian States took place on December 23. Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate, represented Uzbekistan.

Tanzila Narbayeva called the meeting of the new informal mechanism a historic event, noting that in this way “a completely new consultative platform for the development of regional cooperation is being formed.” She expressed hope that in the future the representatives of Afghanistan would also join the Dialogue, which would give the meetings more integrity.

The activities of the Dialogue are expected to focus on such areas as maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region, building trust between countries, achieving sustainable development, empowering women in the system of state and public administration, entrepreneurship, enhancing the implementation of projects and programs aimed at protection of the rights and interests of women, girls, youth and children, as well as ensuring gender equality.

Natalia Gherman, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Central Asia, the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) noted that the Center is ready to assist in providing a platform for discussions and further work, including expanding access to regional and global partnership, as well as exchange of experience.

On the proposal of the UNRCCA head, Tanzila Narbayeva was entrusted with the chairmanship of the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asia in 2021.

The Uzbek side proposed the following areas of cooperation within the framework of the dialogue:

• Analysis of the situation of women in the countries of the region;
• In-depth analysis of legislation (raising the status of women and expanding their participation in the management of state affairs);
• Raising the level of education;
• Increasing the social and political activity of women;
• Employment coverage, female entrepreneurship;
• Issues of violence;
• Issues of education (“It should not be one-sided”);
• Raising awareness.

US Department of State Removes Uzbekistan from Religious Freedom Watch List

The US Department of State has removed Uzbekistan from the Special Watch List for countries whose governments engage or tolerate severe religious freedom violations. In addition to Uzbekistan, Sudan was also removed from the Watch List.

This decision was made “on the basis of significant, considerable progress gained by governments over the past year.” “Their bold reforms of law and practices serve as a role model for other countries,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

It should be mentioned that Uzbekistan has been included in the Special Watch List since November 2018 for making progress in the field of freedom of religion. According to the US, from 2006 to 2017, the country was on the list of violators of religious freedom.

The Republic of Korea Becomes a Donor of the UN Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region

The government of the Republic of Korea has contributed USD 1 million to the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan. The agreement was signed between the government of the Republic of Korea and the UN Trust Fund Office in New York on December 17, 2020.

The funds will be used to assist the residents of the Aral Sea region in improving their social and economic conditions, health, and welfare.

In addition to its contribution, the South Korean government will support various initiatives in the region. In particular, it is planned to allocate a grant of USD 5.56 million through the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) within the framework of the multilateral development project of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in the Aral Sea region.

For information: The Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region under the auspices of the United Nations was established at the end of 2018. Among the main goals of the Trust Fund is to ensure a coordinated approach to solving pressing problems in the Aral Sea region related to the life of the population, including aspects of health care, economic development, environmental situation, social protection and others.

The first external donor to the Trust Fund was Norway, which allocated about USD 1.1 million in 2019. In March 2020, the European Union allocated 5 million euros to finance the Trust Fund’s projects. Finland joined the donor list in June, 2020. The government of Uzbekistan transferred USD 3.5 million to the Trust Fund.

UNICEF Calls for Cooperation in the Reintegration of Vulnerable Groups of Children

United Nations Children’s Fund together with the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family of Uzbekistan calls for interagency cooperation to ensure the reintegration of children leaving closed institutions and children repatriated from zones of armed conflict.

The call was voiced during the round table “Support and reintegration of children returning from zones of armed conflict, children of migrants and children, leaving specialized educational institutions after COVID-19.” During the event, the partners discussed social protection measures to strengthen the reintegration of vulnerable groups of children and families.

“Adequate social protection measures are an essential package for successful reintegration. They are a necessary protection for children and reduce the risks associated with the well-being, development and protection of children leaving closed institutions and repatriated children,” Geoffrey Ijumba, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan, said.

According to Geoffrey Ijumba, on the other hand, this is a question of collective responsibility, for example, interagency cooperation should apply case management standards, which are an integral part of the work of employees who provide social services to vulnerable groups of families and children.

“Cooperation with UNICEF helps us develop individual reintegration plans for each child, improve methodological skills for providing social assistance to these children and their families,” Gulnara Marufova, First Deputy Minister for Support of Mahalla and Family, stated.

For information: In 2020, Uzbekistan returned from Syria 98 compatriots - 25 women and 73 children as part of the humanitarian operation ‘Mehr3’. In 2019, two operations were carried out to repatriate fellow citizens - women and children - from Syria and Iraq.

FAO to Channel 100 Thousand US Dollars to Empower Rural Women in Uzbekistan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, launches ‘Support for the Implementation of Inclusive Agricultural Policies’ Program in Uzbekistan.

The project with a total cost of USD 100 thousand is planned to be implemented by the end of 2022. The main objective of the program is to improve living conditions in rural areas through the implementation of inclusive agricultural policies and the empowerment of women.

“Closing the gender gap in agriculture will bring significant benefits to the agricultural sector and society at large. Gender inequality is reinforced by stereotypes about gender roles that diminish the visibility of women’s critical contributions to agriculture. Investing in rural women is an investment in significant factors of change to eradicate poverty and achieve food security for all,” Sherzod Umarov, FAO Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized.

The implementation of this project will be coordinated by the FAO Gender Action Plan in Uzbekistan.

Internet Media and Bloggers to Receive Notification for ‘Unauthorized Comments’

A Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of December 23 clarified the issue of responsibility for user comments in online media and blogs.

The document on amendments to the Resolution No.707 of 2018 ‘On measures to improve information security in the global information network’, adopted in order to “improve the monitoring of mass information” on the Internet and “protect the interests of the individual, society and the government in the information area.”

If prohibited information is detected in the texts of comments on the materials of the website or in social networks or messengers, the Mass Communications Center of the Agency of Information and Mass Communications (AIMC) sends a notification to the owner of the website, group (channel) in the messenger or blogger about the need to remove the prohibited information in within 24 hours.

The notification is sent electronically. It must contain a link to a page containing prohibited information, a screenshot of the page, and also provide information on liability for violation of the law. In case of refusal, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications may file a lawsuit in court.

What content belongs to prohibited information:

• a call for a violent change in the existing constitutional order, territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
• the propaganda of war, violence and terrorism, as well as ideas of religious extremism, separatism and fundamentalism;
• disclosure of information constituting state secrets or other secrets protected by law;
• dissemination of information inciting national, racial, ethnic or religious hatred, as well as defaming the honor and dignity or business reputation of citizens, allowing interference in their private life;
• promotion of narcotic drugs, their analogues of psychotropic substances and precursors;
• promotion of pornography.

President Attended Youth Forum

On December 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a speech at the Youth Forum, which concluded the cycle of thematic youth events.

Within the framework of the Forum, the head of state announced a number of novelties in the field of support and implementation of the intellectual, creative and economic potential of young people.

In particular, from 2021:

• A Presidential grant will be established for 200 enrollees who will get the highest scores in the university entrance exams;
• Scholarships are being introduced for Bachelor’s Degree students of branches of foreign universities in Uzbekistan;
• The quota of the Presidential Scholarship for Master’s Degree and PhD students will be doubled;
• Families with two or more children enrolled in a university on a contract basis will be provided with preferential student loans.
• It is envisaged to allocate 50 billion soums to finance the best innovation and start-up projects of youth by organizing the Future Scientist Competition among schoolchildren and students;
• The initiative is being promoted to secure an unemployed young person as an entrepreneur according to the principle “Every entrepreneur is a youth helper”. Thanks to this, at least 500 thousand young people can be provided with jobs;
• It is planned to create youth small industrial zones in the regions where business projects of youth will be developed.

A Climate Change Adaptation Plan to Be Adopted in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has started the implementation of an initiative aimed at increasing the climate resilience of the sectors of the economy most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and improving existing mechanisms to ensure sustainable development.

The new project, which started on December 3, will be implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Program through grant funding provided by the Green Climate Fund.

The developed National Adaptation Plan will be of a sectoral nature. The allocated financial resources will amount to USD 1.6 million. The main goal of the initiative is to assist the country in creating an effective planning process, taking into account climate adaptation priorities over the next two and a half years.

It is expected that the project will lead to an increase in the efficiency of the process of making informed decisions regarding adaptation to climate change in such key sectors as agriculture and water management, healthcare, the construction sector and emergency management caused by extreme climates, as well as in the development planning of the Aral Sea region areas most vulnerable to climate change.

Motivational Video Campaign with the Motto “I Choose Sport!” Gets Started

A series of videos for young people on the benefits of the skills that sport develops in coping with difficult life situations has been presented by the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Central Asia together with a number of ministries and agencies.

Videos, in which the Olympic champions of Uzbekistan act as positive role models, promote a healthy lifestyle and sports as a tool to prevent crime, violence and drug use.

“Strengthening the life skills of young people is a key challenge in minimizing risk factors and improving protective factors associated with crime, violence and drug use,” Kuhn Markwing, International Coordinator of the UNODC Regional Criminal Justice Program in Central Asia, noted. “Sport offers a worthy alternative to wrongdoing: it teaches teamwork, solidarity and fair play. It can give a sense of belonging and an outlet for emotions. It can also lead to positive changes in gender relations by encouraging cooperation and understanding between participants of different genders.”

Within the framework of the Initiative ‘Youth Crime Prevention through Sport’, there were developed the Program ‘Hayotga Qo’shil!’ (Join Life), which consists of a sports training program for the development of life skills for young people aged 13-18. The program strengthens youth resilience to crime, violence and drug use by developing their personal and social skills to build standard beliefs and attitudes, and to raise awareness of the risks associated with these phenomena.

Six Million USD for Projects on Business Skills Training for Aral Sea Region Residents and Improving the Health Service Coverage

The Steering Committee of the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan has approved funding for three projects totaling over USD 6 million in the areas of Youth, Innovation and Healthcare. They will be implemented in 2020 - 2023.

The first project ‘Investing in a sustainable future of Karakalpakstan through improving the health, nutrition, water supply, sanitation, hygiene and well-being of adolescents and strengthening the potential of youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and after it’ will be implemented jointly with UNICEF, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Population Fund.

The project aims to improve the health and nutrition of vulnerable groups of the local population, including five thousand children and adolescents. 10 thousand girls aged 10-17 will be provided with micronutrients. The healthcare infrastructure will be improved in 15 schools in the Muynak, Kungrad, and Bozatau districts of Karakalpakstan.

The second project ‘Promoting the creative and innovative potential of youth and vulnerable population by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the problems of economic and food security in vulnerable communities in the Aral Sea region’ will be implemented by the UN Development Program, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The program will cover over 1,472 rural young people and women. In particular, start-up projects will be promoted among students, 120 people will benefit from business initiatives. The program will also empower 300 women and young people to apply new agricultural practices.

The third project ‘Towards universal health and safety coverage in Karakalpakstan’ will be implemented by the World Health Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. An assessment of the health needs of the population of Muynak District is planned to inform on future investments in health facilities, medical equipment and health workforce.

Education and Employment Are the Key Problems of Uzbekistan’s Youth

According to a report prepared by UNICEF together with the Yuksalish Nationwide Movement and the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, education and employment issues remain the key problems of the country’s youth.

The report ‘Youth of Uzbekistan: Challenges and Prospects’ provides an overview of the situation of young people in Uzbekistan in such areas of their life as education and training, professional life and economic opportunities, digital life and the Internet, family and civic engagement.

The study, carried out in 2018-2020, covered young people from 14 to 30 years old throughout Uzbekistan. A quantitative survey with the participation of 4,458 respondents and a qualitative one with the participation of 24 focus groups were used, the report says.

According to the study results, education (77 per cent of respondents) and employment (61.8 per cent of respondents) are the main problems of youth in Uzbekistan. The report also showed that a significant proportion of young people (54.6 per cent) do not study, unemployed, or do not undergo vocational training after completing compulsory secondary education. This indicator rises sharply for women after 18 years of age and is 74 per cent for women aged 25-30. Among men, this indicator is lower and decreases with age to 24.8 per cent.

The report provides recommendations that focus on enhancing the life, technical, innovation and entrepreneurial skills of youth. One of the main recommendations is to promote the active participation of young women in the economic, social and political life of society by providing equal opportunities and promoting behavior change.

The report is published on the UNICEF website in English and Russian.

New Land Withdrawal Procedure Approved

A new procedure for the withdrawal of land plots for state and public needs has been introduced into the Land Code. The President signed the corresponding law on December 23, 2020.

According to the amendments, the withdrawal of land plots or part of it for state and public needs is carried out with the consent of the landowner or in agreement with the land user and the tenant - by decision, respectively, of the Councils of people’s representatives in the regions, the city of Tashkent, or by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The demolition of property belonging to individuals and legal entities, in the withdrawal of land plots, is allowed only after full payment of compensation for real estate.

Losses caused to individuals and legal entities as a result of the issuance of an illegal administrative act by a government body (official) related to the withdrawal of a land plot are subject to compensation from the government, the new law says.

The law came into force on December 24, 2020.

Hot topics in blogs

Fifteen Civil Activists Underwent Training within the First NGO School

The Yuksalish Nationwide Movement together with the ARGO Civil Society Development Association, Kazakhstan, and with the financial support of USAID, organized the first NGO School in Uzbekistan.

The goal is to increase the capacity and improve the qualifications of NGO representatives on the basics of organizational development and social order, as well as creating a platform for the exchange of experience and best practices.

On December 15 - 19, 2020, the first graduation took place - 15 employees of NGOs from the regions of Uzbekistan. With the assistance of professional trainers the School attendees raised their level of knowledge and honed skills in the areas of organizational development and increased their capacity for receiving state social orders.

104 Convicts Were Pardoned on the Eve of Constitution Day

In connection with the 28^th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the President signed a Decree on pardoning 104 citizens. 21 of them are persons convicted of participation in the activities of prohibited organizations, 13 are foreign citizens, 9 are persons over 60 years old, and one is a woman.

By document six people are completely exempted from punishment and 50 - on parole. The punishment, imposed on seven persons, is replaced by a lesser one. Thus, 63 persons are released from penal institutions. The terms of punishment in the form of imprisonment, imposed on 41 persons, have been reduced.

For information: In 2020, the head of state signed four more decrees on pardoning 512 convicts, including 33 persons completely released from punishment, 224 - on parole.

98 Women and Children Were Returned to Uzbekistan from Syria

98 compatriots, including 25 women and 73 children, were repatriated December 8, 2020, from Syria to Uzbekistan within the humanitarian operation ‘Mehr-3’ (Mercy -3).

Those arrived were placed in health facilities, where they were provided with food and clothing, as well as received medical and psychological assistance. Documents proving their identity will be drawn up and the necessary conditions will be created for them to return to a peaceful life and fully adapt in society.

The Committee to Protect Journalists Expresses Concern about Penalties for Dissemination of False Information

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomed the abolition of imprisonment for libel in Uzbekistan, but expressed concern about the imposition of penalties for dissemination of false information.

Uzbekistan authorities should stop trying to criminalize the dissemination of allegedly false information and ensure that journalists can work freely and without fear of punishment. This is said in the statement by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ, New York).

“We welcome Uzbekistan’s long-awaited move to stop jailing journalists for libel and insult. However, the new amendments that stipulate imprisonment for dissemination of false information override the positive reform and go against democratic practices of guaranteeing press freedom and freedom of speech. If Uzbekistan wants to convince the world it’s on track toward becoming more democratic, its parliament should not adopt the suggested amendments on false information,” Gulnoza Said, CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator, said.

The Court Issued a Warning to the Private Zoo Director

On December 21, 2020, Navoi City Administrative Court issued a warning to the director of a private zoo and gave her five days to rectify the deficiencies. If, after this period, violations of the law in the work of the zoo are not eliminated, the case will be resumed.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Navoi Region considered the appeal of ‘Mehr va Oqibat’ Animal Protection Society regarding Sohiba Barnoyeva, director of a private zoo (LLC ‘FERZ-UMID’) about violation of the law on keeping animals in the zoo.

When considering the appeal of animal rights activists, it was found that wild animals - wolf, porcupine, coati, jungle cat, golden eagle, vulture, eagle owl and black vultures - were kept in the zoo without permit in violation of the requirements of the Law ‘On the protection and usage of the animal world.’

Uzbekistan Financed Construction of Three Hospitals in Kyrgyzstan

In December, 2020, infectious diseases hospitals of modular design with 176, 24 and 200 beds respectively were commissioned in the city of Bishkek as well as Chuy and Batken regions of Kyrgyzstan. Their construction and equipment of them were fully funded by Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan is one of the first countries to provide support to Kyrgyzstan during the pandemic. Oxygen concentrators, respirators and other medical products and light modular structures for 400 beds were sent from the neighboring country,” Alimkadir Beishenaliev, Health Minister of Kyrgyzstan, stated.

It is worth mentioning that in November, Uzbekistan sent humanitarian aid to the neighboring country several times. Kyrgyzstan received specialized hospital containers, which were used directly for the construction of infectious diseases hospitals.

New appointments

Gayane Umerova, Executive Director of the Culture and Art Development Foundation, has been appointed Secretary General of the National Commission of Uzbekistan for UNESCO.

The main task of the Commission is to strengthen the international authority and role of Uzbekistan in the activities of UNESCO, coordinate the activities of ministries and agencies in the development and implementation of programs in the field of culture, education, science, communications and information.

In 2008-2017, Gayane Umerova worked in the Department of Exhibitions and Funds of the Gallery of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan. Since 2017, she had been working at the Culture and Art Development Foundation, Executive Director of which she was appointed in 2020.

Uzbekistan and Indexes

Uzbekistan Ranked 106^th in the Human Development Index

Uzbekistan took 106th place in the list of 189 countries in the Human Development Index prepared by the United Nations Development Program. The index provides data for 2019.

The Human Development Index of Uzbekistan in 2019 made 0.720 (the maximum value is 1,000). The country entered the high HDI category. Uzbekistan results by index:

• life expectancy at birth - 71 years and 7 months (an increase of 5 years and 2 months from 1990 to 2019);
• the average duration of education for the population is 11 years and 8 months (an increase of 2 years and 7 months) and the expected duration of education is 12 years and 1 month (an increase of 8 months);
• volume of gross national income per capita (at purchasing power parity) –USD 7,142 (an increase of 115.6 per cent).

For information: Of the countries of Central Asia, Kazakhstan ranked 51^st in the index (0.825), Turkmenistan - 111^th (0.715), Kyrgyzstan 120^th (0.697) and Tajikistan - 125^th (0.668).

Electronic Rating of Judges

According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of December 7, 2020 ‘On measures to ensure the true independence of judges and increase the effectiveness of preventing corruption in the judicial system’, from February 1, 2021, online coverage of examination processes will be organized in the selection of candidates for appointment to the post of judge for the first time.

An electronic program will be developed and implemented to help assess the suitability of candidates for the position of judge based on their psychological profile. Specific criteria will be introduced for an open and transparent assessment of the performance of judges using the electronic rating.

Other news

The Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan Established

On December 4, the Ministry of Justice registered the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan. Its main task is encouraging and supporting initiatives in organizing volunteer activities, protecting the rights and interests of volunteers.

It is worth mentioning that in 2019 the Law ‘On Volunteer Activity’ was adopted. According to the document, volunteering is aimed at helping low-income, large and homeless families, as well as the sick, the elderly and people with disabilities. Within the framework of volunteer activities, assistance will be provided in the organization of sports, cultural and other events, including charity actions.

The Art of Miniature Is Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List

The art of miniature is included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. This decision was made at the 15^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO on December 16, 2020.

Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey made a joint presentation to include the Art of Miniature in the Representative List.

“Inclusion of the Art of Miniature in the UNESCO Representative List is the international recognition of this art form, which has a long history and which reached its peak in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek School of Miniature with many bright and outstanding artists such as Kamoliddin Behzod has remained one of the strongest and most famous in the world for many centuries,” Aziz Abdukhakimov, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development of Uzbekistan, said.

100 Million US Dollars for Preschool Education Development

On December 15, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a Resolution on improving early childhood development.

The project, worth USD 100.57 million, is aimed at expanding children’s access to early education, improving learning conditions in public preschool institutions, and creating opportunities for a systematic assessment of the quality of education in 2020-2024.

A loan agreement in the amount of USD 59.5 million for the implementation of the project ‘Improving early childhood development’ was signed last July between Uzbekistan and the International Development Association, IDA, for a period of 30 years, with a five-year grace period.

In addition, an agreement was signed with the International Development Association on the allocation of a USD 9.5 million grant. The share of Uzbekistan in the project will amount to USD 26.72 million, including tax and customs benefits in the equivalent of USD 16.9 million.

A Draft Resolution on the Development of Sign Language Forwarded for Discussion

The draft government Resolution ‘On the further development of sign language used as a means of interpersonal communication’ has been posted for public discussion. It is planned that at the expense of the state budget secondary schools will run special courses for teaching sign language and Braille.

In accordance with the project, the Uzbek sign language should receive a legal status and conditions for the use of the Uzbek sign language as a language of communication will be created in all organizations, institutions and enterprises, regardless of the form of ownership.

Ministry of Justice and USAID Publish a Collection of Legal Documents in Braille

The Ministry of Justice with the support of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has published a two-volume collection of legal documents on the rights of blind people in Braille.

The circulation of the two-volume edition is 2000 copies. It includes the norms of about 30 regulatory documents concerning the rights of persons with visual impairments. They are on tax incentives, labor rights, social protection issues and liability for violation of the rights of persons with visual impairments.

1000 copies of the collection will be transferred to organizations and institutions of the Society of the Blind of Uzbekistan, the remaining 1000 copies - to educational institutions, the National Library and the Republican Central Library for the Blind.

The Constitution and Law on Rights of People with Disabilities in Braille

The Constitution of Uzbekistan and the new Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have been published in Braille.

The editions were published in the circulation of 500 pieces and donated to the Society of the Blinds of Uzbekistan and other organizations of people with disabilities.

The editions were published by the National Center for Human Rights and the Adolat National Legal Information Center on the occasion of the Constitution Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan also took part in the project.

Success Stories of NGOs in Uzbekistan

More Than 50 Court Cases Won Against Animal Abusers for Over 10 Years 

‘Mehr va Oqibat’ Animal Protection Society has celebrated its 10^th anniversary. It was registered as a non-governmental non-profit organization on December 22, 2010.

During this time, the Society has won more than 50 court cases against animal abusers. During its work, the Mehr va Oqibat NGO made more than 400 visits to places on the fact of animal cruelty. Another initiative of the Animal Protection Society is the Lessons of Kindness and Mercy. During these lessons, schoolchildren are told about the humane treatment of animals. Over the past 10 years, lessons have been held for more than 48 thousand school students, as well as four children’s drawing competitions, three round tables and three screenings of the film ‘We are for a circus without animals’ have been organized with coverage of 200 people.

‘Mehr va Oqibat’ NGO implements a neutering program for low-income families at the expense of Society. The organization works on complaints from citizens on the facts of animal cruelty. It is engaged in consultations and petitions to law enforcement agencies.

In April 2017, ‘Mehr va Oqibat’ Society, working on proposals to amend legislation regarding animals, conducted a sociological survey. The goal was to find out the opinion of citizens about the need to increase the degree of responsibility for cruelty to animals. The survey covered 1304 people, of which 673 (52%) voted for imposing imprisonment for animal cruelty, 328 (25%) - for the need to increase the amount of punishment, 203 (16%) - for fines of at least 50 times the minimum wage. In May 2019, the President signed a document increasing the fine for cruelty to animals.

In February 2020, ‘Mehr va Oqibat’ Society submitted its proposals to introduce the Animal Cruelty article in the Criminal Code, as well as to increase the amount of punishment under the corresponding article of the Code of Administrative Responsibility. The bill is currently in public discussion.

To date, 12 people are members of ‘Mehr va Oqibat’ Society, all of whom work for free.

"#YoshStan: Enhancing the Role of Youth in Local Decision Making"

This is the name of the two-year project, which is being implemented by the Andijan NGO "Hamroh" together with the international NGO "Search for Common Ground" with the financial support of the European Union. It aims to improve the decision-making process of young people in local communities, ensuring its inclusiveness.

"Work on the project began in August 2020," says Gulnorakhon Yuldasheva, head of the Hamroh NGO. - Within the framework of the project, it is envisaged to further improve the quality of services provided to young people, develop their leadership and organizational skills, strengthen cooperation and solidarity between young people and government bodies, as well as increase the social activity of young people. For this, thematic trainings and master classes are held.

Seven mahallas in the Asaka district of the Andijan region were selected as target groups. A sociological survey was conducted there. It turned out, in particular, that most of the organizations specializing in working with young people are state-owned; there are also non-state organizations, but their work is limited to statutory goals and objectives. State organizations for work with youth operate within the framework of the State Program, but without the participation of NGOs. Non-governmental organizations have limited funding, there are difficulties with coverage of activities, young people apply to them less often. There are problems in establishing cooperation between state and non-state youth organizations. There is a shortage of youth workers in makhallas.

“Within the framework of the project, we intend to promote meaningful and structured participation of youth civil society organizations in strengthening the provision of youth services in Andijan region, bringing together youth and local authorities - two key stakeholders to promote sustainable and inclusive development,” G. Yuldasheva stressed. - It is planned to cover more than 20 NGOs and makhallas and about 19,500 youth representatives of the Andijan region. To implement their initiatives, young people from January 2021 will begin to receive mini-grants for solving specific social problems in the context of their makhalla, district, thereby being able to put into practice the knowledge and competencies gained during the trainings.

Youth-U-Report-Hokim’ Regional Dialogue Kicks off in Navoi in Pilot Mode

On December 21, 2020, the U-Report team together with the Yuksalish Nationwide Movement, the Navoi Region administration (hokimiyat) launched the regional dialogues ‘Youth-U-Report-Hokim’. The project is aimed at increasing youth participation in the development of regional programs, involving young people in decision-making processes at the local level.

During the dialogues, the results of the survey “How should a co-working center in Navoi work?” have been presented and discussed. The study was carried out to learn the opinion of young people living Navoi Region on the co-working center activities, which are scheduled to open in the near future. More than 650 young people from districts and cities of Navoi Region participated in the survey, which took place in November 2020.

Targeted Assistance to 10 Thousand Families

Within the framework of the project ‘Support Program for Vulnerable Groups of the Population of Sirdarya Region’, targeted assistance has been provided to 10 thousand low-income families living in Oqoltin, Sardoba and Mirzaobod districts of Sirdarya Region. The project got implemented by the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family, ‘Istiqbolli Avlod’ Sirdarya Regional Social Information Center in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Families received 10,000 boxes of essential goods and supplies, 45 walking sticks and crutches, 92 wheelchairs for adults, seven for children, and 45 hearing aids.

In particular, ‘Istiqbolli Avlod’ Sirdarya Regional Social Information Center handed over humanitarian aid to those in need:

• On December 17 - 150 families living in Sergeli and Naiman communities in Oqoltin District, 550 families living in Yangi O’zbekiston community in Mirzaobod District;
• On December 18 - 12, 8 families from Yangi Toshkent community and 244 families from Ahillik community.
• Hearing aids were also provided to 3 residents of Sirdarya, and a wheelchair to one person.

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