OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organizes training seminar for Chamber of Advocates

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organized a capacity-building training seminar for representatives from the Chamber of Advocates on best practices and exchange of experiences in the field of the institutional development of the institution of the bar. The event, held from 18 to 20 November 2020, was opened by Alim Ernazarov, Chairperson of the Chamber of Lawyers of Uzbekistan and Ambassador John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

More than 50 participants, lawyers from the Chamber of Advocates, national partners and representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations attended the seminar.

“Our office stands ready to improve co-operation with the Chamber of Advocates and to provide necessary support to its further development. This event is part of our efforts to further enhance the independence of the justice system. The importance of defence lawyers was underlined in the 2005 Ministerial Council Decision on upholding human rights and the rule of law in criminal justice system,” said John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

He also referred to ODIHR’s urgent comments on the Draft Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Measures to Further Improve the Institution of the Advocacy and Radically Increase the Status of Advocates provided in April this year, noting their relevance and saying that they deserve necessary attention.

International experts from Germany, Canada and the Russian Federation shared their experiences and expertise, from the national perspective, with the Chamber of Advocates to help further enhance the institution’s independence, internal structuring, financial sustainability and ICT tools in delivering justice.

The event was organized under the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project “Enhancing the capacities of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.