Parliamentary oversight of the security sector discussed at OSCE workshop for deputies of Uzbekistan’s parliament

The role of parliament in oversight of the security sector in Uzbekistan was the focus of an OSCE event in Tashkent on 8 October 2020. Twenty members of the Oliy Majlis (parliament), coming from both the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, took part in the event. The workshop was organized, in a blended format, jointly by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and supported by speakers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Participants, many of whom were newly elected to their offices earlier this year, were briefed on the work of the OSCE, the main actors and principles of good security sector governance, the role of human rights, and the rule of law and gender equality in this regard. Concrete tools and instruments for parliamentary oversight of the security sector were also presented.

“The OSCE has a long track record in supporting participating States in strengthening the governance of their security sectors. Experience shows that an accountable, effective and inclusive security sector with full respect for human rights, gender equality and the rule of law can effectively provide security to a State and its people, thereby promoting stability,” said John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

Participants discussed existing instruments and mechanisms for the security sector oversight in the context of Uzbekistan’s 2016 Law on Parliamentary Oversight and how the role of the parliament in this area could be further strengthened. They also shared their experiences on human rights oversight and gender equality in the security sector, and debated existing challenges in this area and how to address them.

Dilorom Fayzieva, Chairperson of the Committee on International Affairs and Inter-parliamentary Relations of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, said: “Today's event is indeed timely as the national parliament of Uzbekistan aims to strengthen its oversight functions. At the same time,  we are aware of our main mission: enforcing the law along with the protection of the rights, freedoms, and the lawful interests of citizens. This is the foundation of security.”

The event was implemented through the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Support, capacity-building and awareness-raising for Security Sector Governance and Reform within the OSCE: Phase II”, financially supported by Austria, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, and Switzerland.