Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Oct. 5 /Trend D.Azizov/
China Society for Human Rights Studies and the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of human rights, the director of Uzbekistan's National Human Rights Centre Akmal Saidov told journalists in Tashkent on Friday.
"The document was signed during the Sixth Beijing Forum on Human Rights, and Uzbekistan became the first country with which China has signed such a document," Saidov said.
The memorandum envisages the exchange of information, including legislation acts, information and analytical materials on issues of human rights, development of national human rights institutions, establishment of partnership relations between public authorities and civil society. It is planned to hold joint activities on the protection of human rights and freedoms.
Director of the National Human Rights Centre underscored that the positions of both states in the human rights sphere coincide on most issues. He also noted the attention paid by Uzbekistan and China for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Both countries are cooperating with the UN Human Rights Council, other international bodies, as well as provide appropriate national reports under the universal periodic review on the subject. Both countries have secured the protection of human rights at the constitutional level as a basis for a model of harmonious development.
Uzbekistan and China have also made progress in the development of national human rights institutions.
National Human Rights Centre and the Ombudsman institution are among such institutions in Uzbekistan, and in China - China Society for Human Rights Studies and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.
Uzbekistan plans to adopt the National Action Plan on Human Rights.
National action plans on human rights, adopted by China, comply with the provisions of relevant international instruments - the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
In recent decades, Uzbekistan and China have taken concrete measures for the organization of human rights education, including training of employees for government agencies and law enforcement bodies.
"Participation of Uzbekistan's representatives in all Beijing Forums on Human Rights, which have become an important platform for finding models of human rights development and the exchange of experience in this area, is a confirmation of active and consistent dialogue on human rights between the two countries," National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan director believes.
Beijing Forum on Human Rights, which has been held annually since 2008, is attended by over 100 representatives from over 30 countries and international organizations, including the UN.