The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) assists the Government of Uzbekistan with the implementation of its international commitments in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democratization. It supports the development of national human rights institutions, anti-trafficking efforts, capacity-building of national institutions and non-governmental organizations, and improving legal education.

Capacity building for  information services

The main objective of the project for 2011-2012 is to facilitate capacity building for the information services of state administration bodies and civil society organizations through professional training and studying the work of an active press service, acquiring journalistic and public speaking skills, and effectively using media legislation to interact constructively with the press.

In 2011, a series of capacity-building training events for 60 representatives of the information services of the state ministries and agencies was conducted with the goal of improving the efficiency of the information services, their effective use of media legislation to promote transparent communication between the public and government institutions.

Combating human trafficking

Throughout 2011 the PCUz continued to implement a project on building the capacity of the national inter-agency commission in establishing more systemic and sustainable action against human trafficking, and to ensure the protection of the human rights of survivors of human trafficking and labour exploitation. This was achieved through training activities and the provision of learning aids on anti-trafficking standards and technical equipment. The Project Co-ordinator also delivered capacity-building training for law enforcement specialist investigators, aimed at increasing operational effectiveness and promoting co-operation with destination countries, including a better understanding of the human rights of victims throughout identification, referral and protection phases.

Supporting human rights at the Police Academy

In 2011, some 125 police officers from all regions of Uzbekistan undergoing in-service training at the Police Academy were trained in the practical application of human rights standards in their daily work. National and international human rights experts shared their knowledge and expertise on such issues as awareness raising on women’s human rights and fostering women’s participation and role in law enforcement institutions; a human rights training methodology to provide an opportunity for reflection for all police officers facing practical problems in the field; ensuring human rights while combating transnational threats such as drug trafficking, terrorism and human trafficking.

Supporting the Ombudsperson Institution

The PCUz is continuing its efforts to build the capacity of the Ombudsperson Institution. The implementation of international best practices into the activity of this national human rights institution is being considered as of utmost importance. Towards this end it is planned to organize jointly with the International Ombudsman Institute a seminar on national and international experience in the interaction of Ombudsperson institutions with state structures, to facilitate study of experience in development of similar institutions in two OSCE participating States, in 2012.

Aiming at the further development of Institution personnel a training course on combating trafficking in human beings and cluster workshops will be held. The workshops will look at the role and place of the Ombudsperson in social partnership in the Ferghana and Bukhara regions of the country, give advice on publishing material for raising awareness of the Institution.

Promoting human rights standards in the police

Since 2008, the PCUz has been helping develop the Human Rights Protection and Legal Provision Department of the Ministry of Interior. During 2012 it is planned to conduct a series of training courses on the theory of and international standards in human rights, held nationwide. In accordance with the National Action Plan to implement the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council, a training course on the provisions of the UN Convention against Torture will also be carried out.

The PCUz is continuing to support the Human Rights Resource Centre established at the Ministry in 2011 by providing access to Internet resources and donating literature on various legal issues. In order to develop the legal awareness of national minorities, support will be given in printing placards with provisions of the Law “On Citizens’ Appeals” and with the Ministry of Interior Hotline information in Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen languages.

Supporting judicial and legal reforms

In 2010, the PCUz launched a project aimed at supporting judicial and legal reforms in the country. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Research Centre on the Democratization and Liberalization of Judicial Legislation and Ensuring Independence of the Judicial System under the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Last year, a training course on international standards in fair trials and the extra-judicial skills of judges was organized with the involvement of an expert from the United States. In 2012, similar training courses will be organized in the regions of the country for judges of the lower level courts. Support to the activity of the Scientific-Practical Laboratory on the comparative analysis of international legal norms and national legislation in the sphere of judicial legislation, established with the assistance of the PCUz, will be continued.

Promoting international standards in the penitentiary system

During the last several years the Government has started to take a number of measures to improve the training system for the personnel of law enforcement agencies and increase efforts on the eradication of torture, as well as ensuring the rights of detainees and convicts, and further reform of the penitentiary system. In the frame of this project, the PCUz will support officials of the Main Department on Administration of Punishments of the Ministry of Interior with a series of training courses for junior personnel of the penitentiary system. These will be held on international penitentiary standards, the UN Convention against Torture, the monitoring of penitentiary facilities.

The PCUz will also print a manual to explain international commitments in this area, and an informational educational brochure on international standards in convicts’ rights.