Director of the National Center for human rights to be equalized in status to Ministers

A presidential decree of 10 December, envisages introducing a number of changes to the activities of the National Center for Human Rights.

According to the document, the Center carries out its activities independently from all government bodies and organizations.

The Center annually provides the President, Chambers of the Senate of Oliy Majlis and Cabinet of Ministers with information on the state of compliance with Uzbekistan’s international obligations in the field of human rights.

It promotes the activities of state bodies, civil institutions of the society, educational, scientific-research and other organizations on the implementation of Uzbekistan’s international obligations in the above-mentioned field.

The Center will be funded by the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan, grants from international organizations, foundations and other institutions that are not prohibited by law.

Additionally, the document envisages a procedure in accordance with which draft laws on the issues of compliance and restriction of citizens’ rights and freedoms are subject to mandatory coordination with the Center.

The center is headed by a director who is appointed and dismissed by the President of Uzbekistan.

The Director of the Center will have two deputies, including the one, who is appointed and dismissed by the President of Uzbekistan on the proposal of the Director of the Center.

Status of the Director of the Center, including the conditions of medical and transport support, is equal to that of ministers’, the first deputy director’s status is equal to the first deputy minister and the deputy director to the deputy minister.