Combating discrimination: the experience of Uzbekistan

Over the years of independence, Uzbekistan has consistently ratified over 80 international documents in this area, implements measures to implement them into national legislation and law enforcement practice. Only in recent years, an Action Strategy has been implemented for five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021, the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", the Strategy for the Development of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, the National Strategy of Uzbekistan on Human Rights, as well as over 50 other concepts and programs are being implemented. 

In the New Uzbekistan, international obligations to prevent discrimination against all persons under the jurisdiction of the State are being progressively fulfilled. Article 8 of the new version of the Constitution emphasizes that the people of Uzbekistan are citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of nationality. And article 19 guarantees the same rights and freedoms, equality before the law without distinction of race, nationality, language and religion, as well as other grounds. The Labor Code enshrines all the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the field of ensuring equality and eliminating discrimination in the field of labor and employment.
Among the most important priorities of the state policy of Uzbekistan is the development of a culture of tolerance and humanism, the strengthening of interethnic, interfaith and civil harmony in society. The legislation provides ample opportunities to create conditions for ethnic groups to use their languages in life, to preserve and develop their culture, customs and traditions. 
The Concept of the State policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of interethnic relations is being implemented. In the country, TV and radio broadcasts are broadcast in 12 languages, newspapers and magazines are published in more than ten. About 20 percent of secondary schools are taught in seven languages (Uzbek, Karakalpak, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Kyrgyz and Kazakh). 
To ensure the cooperation of State bodies and civil society institutions, the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries, as well as public councils for ensuring interethnic harmony, tolerance and solidarity have been organized. The Peoples' Friendship Day and the "Halklar Dustligi" badge were established. 
The national legal system of Uzbekistan contains serious measures of responsibility for violation of equal rights of citizens. The Criminal Code provides for liability up to three years of imprisonment for direct or indirect violation or restriction of rights, or the establishment of direct or indirect advantages of citizens, depending on gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, beliefs, personal or social status. 
Moreover, taking into account the centuries-old history and cultural traditions of the people of Uzbekistan, the Parliament adopts the law "On amendments and additions to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility", which provides for the establishment of responsibility for propaganda of superiority or inferiority of citizens on the basis of their national, racial, ethnic or religious affiliation, for committing religious rite of marriage by persons who are not registered in accordance with the procedure established by law, for promoting polygamy and discrimination on the basis of sex. 
Responsibility is also established for the public denial of equal rights of women and men, discrimination of citizens on the basis of national, racial, ethnic or religious affiliation, for carrying out activities by a religious organization that are not provided for by its charter.
Kamola Khujamova,
PhD student at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.