In a significant development at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the representative of Uzbekistan has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee for the first time in the history of the organization.
During the 40th session of the states parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) at the UN headquarters, elections were held for nine members of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) for the 2025-2028 term. Representatives from 16 states vied for these nine seats, including Uzbekistan, which saw Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights and an academician, securing the highest number of votes among ICCPR member countries.
This milestone marks Uzbekistan’s inaugural representation on this vital UN body, a notable achievement for the country and the Central Asian region as a whole. The United Nations has recognized Uzbekistan’s significant progress, particularly under the leadership of its President, in areas such as eradicating child and forced labor, combating domestic violence, promoting gender equality, and improving conditions for vulnerable populations.
Uzbekistan’s election to the Human Rights Committee underscores its commitment to upholding and safeguarding human rights through constructive engagement with international human rights mechanisms. This newfound position will allow Uzbekistan to actively contribute to decision-making processes and share best practices in the field of human rights.
It’s important to note that the Human Rights Committee comprises independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the ICCPR by state parties. With Uzbekistan becoming a member in 1995, the Committee’s activities aim to ensure the full respect of all civil and political human rights among its 173 participating states.
