The purpose of this Law is to regulate the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall be a public official exercising parliamentary control over observance of the legislation on human rights and freedoms by the state bodies, including law enforcement and regulatory authorities, enterprises, entities, institutions (hereinafter referred to as “the institutions”) and public officials.

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) (hereinafter referred to as “the Ombudsman”) acting as a national human rights institution shall complement the existing forms and means of human rights and freedoms protection.

The Ombudsman shall facilitate the improvement of the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on human rights and freedoms and its alignment with the norms of international law, the development of international cooperation in the field of human rights and freedoms, and the enhancement of the legal culture of citizens in human rights domain.

The Ombudsman shall act regardless of the institutions and public officials, being governed exclusively by the law.

The Ombudsman shall be issued with a certificate signed by the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and by the Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Ombudsman shall use the certificate within the term of office.

The Ombudsman shall act in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this Law and other legal acts, international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The core principles of the activities of the Ombudsman shall be lawfulness, independence, fairness, humanity, prohibition of discrimination, impartiality, and openness.

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan who has attained the age of thirty years on the day of election and has permanently resided within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan for at least five years may be elected to the office of Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman shall be elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for five years term.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall introduce the candidacy for the office of Ombudsman to the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The resolution of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the election of the Ombudsman shall be adopted at sessions of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan by a majority of votes casted out of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate, respectively.

The resolutions of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be forwarded to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon review the candidacy for the office of the Ombudsman at sessions of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Upon expiry of term of office, the Ombudsman shall perform the duties until a new Ombudsman is elected.

No person shall be elected to the office of the Ombudsman for more than two consecutive terms.

The Ombudsman shall be obliged to suspend or terminate membership or participation in a political party during the term of mandate. The Ombudsman shall not engage in other types of gainful occupation, except for scientific, creative and pedagogical ones.

The Deputy Ombudsman shall be elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for five years term.

The Ombudsman shall introduce the candidacy for the office of Deputy Ombudsman to the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Deputy Ombudsman shall assists in exercising the duties of the Ombudsman and perform the functions of the Ombudsman in his or her absence.

In the event of early dismissal of the Ombudsman from the office until the election of a new Ombudsman, the Deputy Ombudsman shall perform his or her duties, and within this period he/she shall be a subject to the guarantees established for the Ombudsman.

The Deputy Ombudsman shall suspend or terminate membership or participation in a political party for the term of mandate. The Deputy Ombudsman shall not engage in other types of gainful occupation, except for scientific, creative and pedagogical ones.

The Ombudsman or the Deputy Ombudsman shall be dismissed early by the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the event of:

resignation letter submission;

persistent impairment of health, confirmed by a conclusion issued by a medical institution;

a guilty verdict of the court against him/her entered into effect;

election or appointment to an office, which, according to the law, is incompatible with the activities of the Ombudsman (Deputy Ombudsman);

his or her legal incompetence or limited legal competence is recognized by the court;

he/she is recognized as missing or declared dead based on a court decision;

he/she has lost the citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

his or her death.

The principal objectives of the Ombudsman shall be as follows:

involvement in implementation of public policy concerning human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests;

exercising a parliamentary control over compliance with legislation on human rights and freedoms by the institutions and officials;

considering appeals from natural and legal persons on violations of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests;

examining an implementation of legislation on human rights and freedoms and developing proposals for its improvement;

taking appropriate measures to prevent incidents of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in special purpose facilities which are part of the system of interior affairs bodies intended for housing and detention of persons subject to administrative arrest, in centers of social and legal assistance to underage individuals, garrisons and military guardhouses of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, temporary detention facilities, pre-trial detention facilities, penal institutions, disciplinary units, and compulsory treatment institutions (hereinafter referred to as “the places of detention with the restrictions on the movement”);

raising the awareness on the norms of international and national law on human rights and freedoms, as well as assisting in enhancing the legal consciousness and legal culture among the population;

developing international cooperation in the field of human rights and freedoms.

The Ombudsman shall exercise the right of immunity within the term of mandate and shall not be a subject to criminal liability, detention, imprisonment or administrative penalties imposed by a court of law without a consent of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A criminal proceedings against the Ombudsman may be initiated exclusively by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The forcible appearance or detention of the Ombudsman, as well as the inspection of his or her house, office premises, luggage, personal and official vehicles, correspondence, means of communication used by him/her, as well as documents belonging to him/her, are prohibited.

The Ombudsman shall have the right to:

verify reports on violations of human rights and freedoms together with the institutions and public officials;

participate in the meetings of the institutions which relate to consideration of the human rights and freedoms protection issues;

have free access to the institutions and public officials;

request and obtain from the institutions and public officials the documents, analytical materials, conclusions and other information on issues within its competence;

hold meetings and interviews with persons kept in custodial facilities with the restriction on the movement;

submit dedicated reports focused on adopting legal, organizational, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

issue warnings in writing to the institutions and public officials on prohibition of violation of legislation on human rights and freedoms;

make submissions mandatory for consideration by the heads of the institutions on elimination of identified violations of legislation on human rights and freedoms, the causes and conditions leading thereto;

enter motions to the respective institutions to hold liable persons in charge whose actions (omissions) have been identified as ones violating human rights and freedoms;

apply petitions and claims to the courts to protect infringed rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the citizens;

to engage, in accordance with the established procedure, including engagement on a contractual basis, in scientific and other institutions, scholars, experts and specialists to perform scientific, practical and analytical work for protection of infringed human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The Ombudsman shall also have other rights in accordance with the law.

The Ombudsman shall:

comply with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this Law and legal acts, and perform the duties assigned;

not interfere in the activities of the institutions and public officials performed within the limits of their mandate;

comply with the requirements of the legislation on the protection of information classified as state secrets or other secrets protected by law;

inform the complainant on the outcomes of the consideration of a complaint.

The Ombudsman may also have other obligations in accordance with the legal acts.

The Ombudsman shall annually, until 15th of February of the year following the year reported, submit a report on his or her activities to the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The report on the activities of the Ombudsman shall also reflect the work performed to prevent the incidents of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the cases of torture”).

The report on the activities of the Ombudsman shall be reviewed at sessions of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with the legislation.

The resolutions adopted by the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan following the review of the report on the activities of the Ombudsman shall be forwarded to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman shall be entitled to submit to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan a special report aimed at adopting legal, institutional, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests. The special report shall consist of conclusions or suggestions for redress of infringed human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The Ombudsman shall have the right to produce an alternative report on the implementation of international obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights and submit it to the respective international organizations.

The Ombudsman shall provide concerned persons, as well as the media with an opportunity to use information on his or her activities according to the procedure established by law.

The Ombudsman shall place and update relevant information on his or her activities on the official webpage, publish a report on the activities of the Ombudsman and other materials in the media.

The Ombudsman may establish own printed unit and act as a co-founder of other print media.

Introduction of a state of emergency all across the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan or in certain areas as well as the dissolution of the Legislative Chamber and (or) the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall not result in suspension or termination of the activities of the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman shall review statements delivered in the form of petitions, submissions and complaints. The Ombudsman shall review complaints in accordance with the procedure established by this Law, while petitions and submissions are considered in accordance with the procedure established by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Statements by the Natural and Legal Persons".

The Ombudsman shall consider the complaints from citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in the Republic of Uzbekistan, legal persons in the respect of the actions or omissions by the institutions or public officials that violate human rights and freedoms, and shall be entitled to undertake own investigation.

The Ombudsman shall accept for consideration complaints from a third party, including non-governmental non-profit institutions, in respect of violations of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of a specific person or group of persons, subject to their consent.

Complaints may be lodged orally, in writing or electronically.

The Ombudsman shall receive natural persons and representatives of legal persons in person, as well as conduct outdoor visits to receive natural persons and representatives of legal persons in accordance with reception schedules.

The reception schedules for natural persons and representatives of legal persons, information on time, venue and pre-registration, a procedure for receiving natural persons and representatives of legal persons shall be communicated to the concerned parties by means of publication on the official webpage of the Ombudsman, as well as by placement in public places on stands or other technical tools in his or her office premises.

The Ombudsman shall not consider the issues within the mandate of a court, as well as statements from natural persons concerning the actions (omissions) of other natural persons that violate their rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

Anonymous statements shall not be subject to consideration by the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman shall review complaints lodged within one year from the moment when the complainant became aware of violation of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, or the adoption of the final decision on the complaint, if the complainant exhausted other means to protect his or her rights, freedoms and legitimate interests and is not satisfied with the decisions made.

The Ombudsman may grant extension of a deadline for lodging a complaint expired for a valid reason.

A complaint lodged with the Ombudsman must have a surname (first name, patronymic) of the complainant, information on place of residence, and, if the complaint is lodged by a legal person, its full name and information on its location (postal address).

Name of the institution, a surname (first name, patronymic) of a public official whose decisions, actions or omissions are being appealed shall be indicated in the complaint, subject matter of the decisions, actions or omissions that, in the opinion of the complainant, infringed his or her rights shall be stated.

Complaints may be lodged in the official or other languages.

A written complaint must be secured by the signature of a complainant or the signature of an authorized representative of a legal person. In the event of impossibility to secure a written complaint by the signature of a complainant, it must be secured by the signature of a writer, with indication of his or her surname (first name, patronymic).

A complaint lodged electronically must comply with the requirements imposed by law.

Complaints in the interests of incompetent and partially incompetent persons may be lodged by their legal representatives in accordance with the procedure establish by the law.

The Ombudsman shall have the right to an own initiative fact-check in the event an information on violations of human rights and freedoms is available or advocating the persons who are unable to use legal remedies on their own.

Existing decisions previously made on a complaint, or copies thereof, as well as other documents necessary for its review can be attached to the complaint; these documents shall not be a subject to return, except for the cases where the complainant submits a written recall application.

Complainants and their representatives may withdraw a complaint prior and while its review, before a decision is made on it, by submitting an application in writing or electronically. An application to withdraw a complaint does not preclude the Ombudsman from taking actions to identify and eradicate violations of law.

A complaint lodged with the Ombudsman shall not be a subject to a state duty.

When considering statements from natural and legal persons, the Ombudsman shall have the right to:

address to the institutions and public officials to seek an assistance in verifying circumstances that require clarification;

invite representatives of the institutions and public officials to check the circumstances that require clarification;

obtain explanations from the officials, except for the cases envisaged by law;

instruct institutions and experts to draw conclusions on issues that require clarification;

forward the statement to an organization or a public official competent to resolve it on its merits;

dismiss the statement by stating the reason for it.

When considering the statements from natural and legal persons, the Ombudsman may also have other rights in accordance with law.

Persons kept in places of detention with the restriction on the movement shall have the right to address the statements to the Ombudsman in oral, written or electronically with no limitations on their number.

Statements addressed to the Ombudsman shall not be a subject to censorship.

The administration of places of detention with the restriction on the movement shall forward to the Ombudsman the statements from persons kept in custody in such places in sealed form within twenty-four hours, and telegrams by the penal institutions must be sent immediately.

The Ombudsman's response to the statements from persons held in places of detention with the restriction on the movement shall not be a subject to revisal and is promptly delivered to the complainant.

When considering the statements, as well as when checking, upon the initiative of the Ombudsman, incidents of violation of human rights and freedoms, the Ombudsman, his or her Deputy, regional representatives in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city shall have the right of free access to the places of detention with the restriction on the movement. The administration of the places of detention with the restriction on the movement must ensure the security of the Ombudsman, his or her Deputy, regional representatives in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city.

The administration of the places of detention with the restriction on the movement must furnish the all the necessary conditions to the Ombudsman, his or her Deputy, regional representatives in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city for unimpeded and confidential meetings and interviews with persons kept in custody in such places, to be held in private under conditions that allow the employees of these institutions to see, but not hear them.

Employees of the Office of the Ombudsman may have free access to the places where persons with the restriction on the movement are kept in custody with a special referral issued by the Ombudsman.

A box for appeals to the Ombudsman (hereinafter referred to as “the Ombudsman's box”) shall be installed in each residential sector of penal institutions, in production areas, in the premises intended for short-term and long-term visits, at any place convenient for convicted persons to leave their appeals.

The Ombudsmanʼs box is opened only by the Ombudsman or the employees of his or her Office at least once a month.

The Ombudsman or the employees of his or her Office shall have the right to access penal institutions to collect petitions submitted to the Ombudsmanʼ box.

The procedure for installation, using the Ombudsmanʼs box and forwarding appeals by means of it shall be approved by the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A natural or legal person that has applied to the Ombudsman, as well as persons who have been instructed by the Ombudsman to collect and analyze information or conduct an expert assessment, shall not be a subject to prosecution or other restrictions of their rights for this act.

Discrimination when reviewing the complaints by the Ombudsman based on gender, race, ethnicity, language, religion, beliefs, social origin, social status of an individual, as well as forms of ownership of legal persons, location (postal or e-mail address), organizational and legal forms and other circumstances is prohibited.

Personal data of the complainant and other persons that became known while the investigation of incidents of violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the citizens shall not be disclosed without their consent.

The Ombudsman may apply petitions and claims to the courts in the interests of the citizens.

The Ombudsman is exempt from state duty when applying petitions and claims to the courts filed in the interests of the citizens.

Based on the results of investigation of a complaint, the Ombudsman may deliver a conclusion, containing suggestions for redress of infringed human rights, to an institution or a public official in whose actions or omissions violations of human rights and freedoms were identified.

The conclusion by the Ombudsman may envisage the suggestions as follows:

an institution or a public official are required to complete a case;

an institution or a public official are required to be amend or revoke a decision made;

an institution or a public official are required to present grounds for the decision;

an institution or a public official are required to take an supplementary decision.

The conclusion by the Ombudsman may also contain other suggestions.

An institution or a public official who has obtained the conclusion from the Ombudsman must review it and forward a reasoned response within in one month term.

A warning, a submission, a motion and a claim shall be the enforcement actions by the Ombudsman.

A warning on prohibition of infringement of legislation on human rights and freedoms is issued in writing by the Ombudsman to institutions and public officials.

The Ombudsman shall be entitled to notify the superior body (public official) on warning issued to an official.

A submission on the eradication of identified infringement of legislation on human rights and freedoms, the causes of such violations and the conditions that contribute thereto, subject to mandatory consideration, shall be issued by the Ombudsman to the heads of institutions that are authorized to eradicate violations of the legislation.

The submission shall be reviewed promptly, and the actions taken shall be reported to the Ombudsman in writing within fifteen days, unless another period is established.

The Ombudsman shall enter a motion to the institutions to hold liable the persons whose actions (omissions) have been identified to violate human rights and freedoms.

The Ombudsman shall submit a claim mandatory for consideration by the respective institutions to eradicate incidents of torture identified while monitoring visits to the places of detention with the restriction on the movement and to prevent such cases.

The claim is reviewed in prompt manner, and the actions taken must be reported to the Ombudsman in writing within ten days, unless another period is established.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ombudsman by the procedure of legislative initiative shall have the right to submit legislative proposals to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Ombudsman may take part in the activities of working groups developing drafts of laws on human rights and freedoms and other regulatory acts, conduct legal expert review of these drafts, as well as to attend the sessions of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and submit proposals and comments on the draft laws under discussion.

The Ombudsman shall take actions to raise awareness and inform the population on laws, other regulatory acts and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, universally recognized principles and norms of international law in the field of human rights and freedoms.

The Ombudsman shall take part in development and implementation of educational and training programs, scientific and practical events and seminars aimed at teaching the means, methods and mechanisms for protecting human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

On quarterly basis the Ombudsman shall summarize materials which relate to consideration of the statements from natural and legal persons, incident checks of human rights and freedoms violation undertaken on his or her own initiative.

Based on the results of summarizing the materials which relate to consideration of the statements from natural and legal persons, and identifying the causes and conditions that contribute to violation of human rights and freedoms, as well as of the interests of society and the state, the Ombudsman may address to the Committees of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a proposal to consider hearing relevant information from heads of the state bodies.

The Ombudsman shall be entitled to take part in the events of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on exercising parliamentary control, presenting them with materials on the issues under consideration.

The Ombudsman shall have the right to appeal to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with law.

The Ombudsman may attend the sessions of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and shall be entitled to state the position on all issues considered by the Court.

The Ombudsman shall have the right to attend the Plenary Sessions of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan on issues of protection of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests and to state his or her opinion on the application of law.

Performing the duties, the Ombudsman shall interact with the national human rights institutions, in particular with the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Children's Rights (Children's Ombudsman), the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate interests of Business Entities under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.

The Ombudsman, within the scope of objectives, shall interact with the civil society institutions on the development and implementation of programs for social and economic development of the country and other programs, as well as regulatory acts in the field of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The Ombudsman shall create the necessary conditions for involvement of the representatives of the civil society institutions in the activities of working and expert groups, commissions and other public advisory bodies formed by him or her.

The Ombudsman shall exchange information with the civil society institutions on issues concerning human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, in accordance with the procedure established by law.

The Ombudsman may host joint events, consultations and negotiations with the civil society institutions, as well as conclude agreements with them.

The Ombudsman shall be entitled to membership in the international institutions for protection of human rights and freedoms, and to cooperate and develop cooperation with the international institutions and foreign institutions for human rights protection.

The Ombudsman shall facilitate awareness among international institutions and foreign human rights institutions on implementation of international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights and freedoms.

The Ombudsman shall take part in the production of reports of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the implementation of international treaties in the field of human rights and freedoms.

A Commission on compliance with the constitutional human rights and freedoms may be created by submission from the Ombudsman by the Kengash (Council)s of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan to assist the Ombudsman in the performance of the tasks assigned.

The activities of the Commission on the observance of constitutional human rights and freedoms shall be determined by the Regulation approved by the Kengashs of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Institutions and public officials must furnish documents, materials and other information concerning the violation of human rights and freedoms as per request from the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman shall be entitled to be received promptly by the heads of institutions and other public officials on the issues within the scope of his or her mandate.

The procedure of the Ombudsman's visits to the institutions whose activities which relate to state secrets and other secrets protected by law, as well as the furnishing information classified as state secrets or other secrets protected by law to the Ombudsman, shall be executed in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Interference with the Ombudsmanʼs activities shall give rise to liability in accordance with the established procedure.

The regional representative of the Ombudsman (hereinafter referred to as “the regional representative”) to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city shall operate on a continuous basis to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, to collect and consider statements from natural and legal persons, to facilitate the redress of their infringed rights.

The regional representative shall be appointed by the Ombudsman. He or she shall be issued with a certificate signed by the Ombudsman.

The regional representative shall report directly to the Ombudsman.

Local authorities shall facilitate the activities of the regional representative.

The regional representative, upon consent of the Ombudsman, shall submit on annual basis a report on the status of protection of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests in the respective region to the Zhokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Kengash (Council)s of People's Deputies of the provinces and Tashkent city.

The activities of the regional representative shall be governed by the regulations approved by the Ombudsman.

The core objectives of the regional representative shall be as follows:

to arrange and conduct monitoring of compliance with human rights and freedoms in the respective region;

to collect and consider statements from natural and legal persons residing in the respective region, to assist in redressing their infringed rights, freedoms and legitimate interests;

to meet and interview persons kept in custody in the places of with the restriction on the movement;

to carry out, together with the representatives of local government authorities, the media and other civil society institutions, information and educational activities in the field of observance and protection of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The regional representative shall have the right to:

investigate, together with the institutions and public officials, notifications on violations of human rights and freedoms;

participate in the sessions by the institutions in the respective region which relate to consideration of the issues of human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests protection;

free access institutions and public officials in the respective region;

address a statement to an institution or a public official authorized to make a decision on the merits in the respective region;

seek assistance from the institutions and public officials in the respective region in investigating the circumstances to be clarified;

engage representatives of the institutions and public officials in investigation of the circumstances to be clarified;

demand and obtain from the institutions and officials in the respective region statistical data, analytical materials, conclusions and other information on issues within the scope of mandate;

dismiss to consider a statement, indicating the reason for such dismissal.

The regional representative may also have other rights in accordance with law.

The regional representative shall:

comply with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, this Law and legal acts, and execute the functions assigned;

execute the Ombudsmanʼs instructions in a timely and proper manner;

submit a report on the activities to the Ombudsman;

comply with the requirements of the legislation on the protection of information classified as state secrets or other secrets protected by law;

not disclose the personal data of the complainant and other persons that became known while the investigation of incidents of violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens, without their consent;

inform the applicant of the results of the statement consideration.

The regional representative may have other responsibilities in accordance with law.

The Ombudsman, the Deputy and the regional representatives shall conduct monitoring visits to the places of detention of persons with the restriction on the movement any time, with no restrictions or prior notice.

The Ombudsman, the Deputy and the regional representatives while monitoring visits to the places of detention with the restriction on the movement shall:

obtain information on the number of persons kept in custody in the places of detention with the restriction on the movement;

examine the conditions of detention and treatment of persons kept in custody in the places of detention with the restriction on the movement;

meet and interview the persons kept in custody in the places of detention with the restriction on the movement, as well as with administrative staff members of these facilities, including confidential meetings and conversations. In such case, as necessary, minutes of meeting and conversations shall be formalized, and technical tools shall be utilized;

familiarize with the documents confirming the legitimacy of a personʼs detention in the places of detention with the restriction on the movement, and, as necessary, obtain copies of them;

submit to the administration of the places of detention with the restriction on the movement a claim for a medical examination of the person kept in custody in such places, furnishing medical aid, psychological and other assistance to him or her, and may be attend upon the consent of this person during the implementation of these procedures;

obtain clarifications from the heads of the administration of places of detention with the restrictions on the movement on issues which relate to ensuring the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the persons kept in custody in such places.

The Ombudsman shall:

take prompt actions to suppress unlawful actions (omissions) of the administration of the places of detention with restrictions on the movement;

draw a conclusion on the conditions of detention of the persons with the restrictions on the movement and forward it to the respective institutions or public officials;

submit recommendations and suggestions to the respective institutions to improve their activities which relate to the prevention of incidents of torture;

submit a claim to the respective institutions to eradicate the incidents of torture.

The Ombudsman shall take actions to prevent the incidents of torture, as provided for in Part 2 and 3 of this Article, and in other places where persons kept in custody cannot leave them by their own free will, and the Deputy and Regional representatives of the Ombudsman shall undertake measures envisaged in the Part 2 of this Article.

The Ombudsman shall establish Public Groups for the Prevention of Incidents of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as the Public Groups) to assist the activities of the Ombudsman on prevention of the incidents of torture.

Public Groups shall be established, generally, being composed of the experts of the national human rights institutions, the representatives of non-governmental non-profit institutions and other civil society institutions. Meanwhile, women must total at least 40 % (forty percent) of the members of the Public Group.

The Ombudsman shall be in charge of general oversight of the activities of the Public Groups and determine its objectives.

The members of Public Groups shall not be forced to give testimony or to disclose in any way the circumstances that have become known to them in respects of performance of their duties. This guarantee shall also be applicable after a member's secession from the Public Group.

Expenses related to the organization of the activities of the Public Groups shall be funded from the funds of the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with the procedure envisaged by aw.

The activities of the Ombudsman shall be assisted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman shall be a legal entity in the form of a public agency and have its own banking account and other accounts, a seal and head letters with its name and an image of the State Emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The organizational chart of the Office of the Ombudsman and the number of its staff members shall be subject to approval by a joint resolution of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Regulation on the Office of the Ombudsman shall be subject to approval by the Ombudsman.

Financial, material and technical as well as the other support to the activities of the Ombudsman shall be funded from the funds of the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan and included therein as a separate line item.

The Ombudsman and the Deputy, in accordance with the procedure established by law, shall have the right to travel privilege within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan by air, rail, motorcar transport (except for taxis and urban passenger transport).

Persons guilty of violation of the legislation on the Ombudsman shall be held liable in accordance with the established procedure.

Introduce amendments and supplements to the following legal acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

1. Introduce to the Penal Enforcement Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 409-I dated April 25, 1997 (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 1997, No. 6, Art. 175; 2003, No. 9-10, Art. 149; 2004, No. 1-2, Art. 18; Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2007, No. 6, Art. 248, No. 9, Art. 422, No. 12, Art. 595; 2008, No. 4, Art. 187, No. 12, Art. 636, 641; 2009, No. 4, Art. 136, No. 12, Art. 470; 2010, No. 9, Art. 334; 2012, No. 9/1, Art. 238; 2014, No. 9, Art. 244; 2015, No. 8, Art. 310; 2017, No. 3, Art. 47, No. 10, Art. 605; 2019, No. 3, Art. 165, No. 5, Art. 267, No. 8, Art. 469, No. 9, Art. 588, 592, No. 12, Art. 880; 2020, No. 6, Art. 337; 2021, Appendix to No. 4, No. 11, Art. 1061, No. 12, Art. 1193; 2022, No. 5, Art. 464; 2023, No. 2, Art. 104, No. 3, Art. 187, No. 4, Art. 269; 2024, No. 2, Art. 115, No. 8, Art. 818, 823, 828), the amendments as follows:

1) Part 2 of Article 18 shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

"When considering complaints, as well as conducting own initiative investigations on the incidents of violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the citizens, the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Deputy, regional representatives to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city, the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis for Children's Rights (Children's Ombudsman) and the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate interests of Entrepreneurs under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right of free visit to penal institutions";

2) the second sentence of Part 1 of Article 792 shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“The Ombudsmanʼs box shall be opened exclusively by the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) or staff members of his or her Office, the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Childrenʼs Rights (Childrenʼs Ombudsman) or staff members of his or her Secretariat.”

2. Article 33³ of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 522-II dated August 29, 2003 "On the Regulations of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2003, No. 9-10, Art. 136; Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan 2007, No. 4, Art. 163, No. 7, Art. 326; 2008, No. 12, Art. 637; 2009, No. 4, Art. 136; 2011, No. 4, Art. 101; 2013, No. 4, Art. 95; 2014, No. 4, Art. 86, No. 5, Art. 130; 2015, No. 12, Art. 452; 2016, No. 9, Art. 276; 2017, No. 6, Art. 300, No. 9, Art. 510; 2018, No. 1, Art. 4, No. 4, Art. 224, No. 7, Art. 431; 2019, No. 1, Art. 1, No. 3, Art. 157, No. 5, Art. 261, 265, No. 8, Art. 468, No. 9, Art. 588, No. 12, Art. 884; 2020, No. 8, Art. 488; 2021, Appendix to No. 4, No. 11, Art. 1061; 2022, No. 10, Art. 983; 2023, No. 12, Art. 1003; 2024, No. 2, Art. 109) shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

The Legislative Chamber shall annually, until 15th of February of the year following the year reported, at its sessions shall hear a report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

The report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall also reflect the work accomplished to prevent the incidents of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall be preliminarily reviewed by the factions.

The discussion on the report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) at a session of the Legislative Chamber shall begin with a speech by the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), followed by addresses of the representatives of the factions.

Following the outcomes of hearings of the report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Legislative Chamber shall adopt a resolution, which is forwarded to the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and to the Senate within ten days from the date of adoption.

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall have the right to submit to the Legislative Chamber a special report focused on adoption of legal, institutional, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The review procedure of a special report by the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), focused on adoption of legal, institutional, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, shall be governed by the Regulations of the Legislative Chamber."

3. Article 32⁴ of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 523-II dated August 29, 2003 "On the Regulations of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2003, No. 9-10, Art. 137; Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2007, No. 4, Art. 163; 2009, No. 4, Art. 136; 2011, No. 4, Art. 101; 2014, No. 4, Art. 86; 2015, No. 12, Art. 452; 2016, No. 9, Art. 276; 2017, No. 6, Art. 300, No. 9, Art. 510; 2018, No. 1, Art. 4, No. 4, Art. 224, No. 7, Art. 431; 2019, No. 1, Art. 1, No. 2, Art. 47, No. 3, Art. 162, No. 5, Art. 261, 265, No. 8, Art. 468, No. 12, Art. 884; 2020, No. 8, Art. 488; 2021, No. 1, Art. 13, Appendix to No. 4, No. 11, Art. 1061; 2024, No. 2, Art. 109) shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

The Senate shall annually hear a report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

The report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall also reflect the work accomplished to prevent the incidents of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall be preliminarily reviewed by the committees of the Senate.

The discussion on the report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) at a session of the Senate shall begin with a speech by the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), followed by addresses of the representatives of the committees of the Senate.

Following the outcomes of hearings of the report on the activities of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Senate shall adopt a resolution, which is forwarded to the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and to the Legislative Chamber within ten days from the date of adoption.

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) shall have the right to submit to the Senate a special report focused on adoption of legal, institutional, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests.

The review procedure of a special report by the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), focused on adoption of legal, institutional, social and economic and other measures to protect human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, shall be governed by the Regulations of the Senate."

4. Article 23 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-298 "On Detention in Custody During Criminal Proceedings" dated September 29, 2011 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2011, No. 9, Art. 251; 2012, No. 9/1, Art. 238; 2019, No. 2, Art. 47, No. 5, Art. 267, No. 8, Art. 469, No. 9, Art. 592; 2021, Appendix to No. 4, No. 11, Art. 1061; 2022, No. 5, Art. 464) shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Deputy, regional representatives to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city (hereinafter referred to as “the regional representatives”), the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Children's Rights (Children's Ombudsman) and the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate interests of Entrepreneurs under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right of free visit to the places of detention, as well as to conduct meetings and interviews with the person under arrest or placed in custody.

The administration of the places of detention must furnish the Ombudsman, the Deputy, regional representatives to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city with the necessary conditions for free and confidential meetings and interviews with the persons under arrested and kept in custody.

The meeting and interviews of the Ombudsman, the Deputy, regional representatives to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city with the persons under arrest and kept in custody shall be held in private under conditions that allow the employees of detention facilities to see, but not hear them."

5. Paragraph 7 of Clause 5 of Part 1 of Article 70 of the Budget Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, approved by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-360 dated December 26th, 2013 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2013, Appendix 1 to No. 12; 2014, No. 9, Art. 244; 2015, No. 12, Art. 452; 2016, No. 12, Art. 383, 385; 2017, No. 6, Art. 300; No. 10, Art. 605, No. 12, Art. 772; 2018, No. 1, Art. 1, No. 7, Art. 431, 433, No. 12, Art. 783; 2019, No. 1, Art. 1, No. 5, Art. 265, No. 8, Art. 470, No. 9, Art. 588, No. 11, Art. 791, No. 12, Art. 884, 891; 2020, No. 3, Art. 203, No. 11, Art. 652, No. 12, Art. 691; 2021, No. 1, Art. 7, 13, Appendix to No. 4, No. 8, Art. 803, 804, No. 10, Art. 973, No. 12, Art. 1198; 2022, No. 5, Art. 464, No. 6, Art. 577; 2023, No. 4, Art. 272, No. 11, Art. 923), shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

"Office of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman)".

6. Paragraph 11 of Part 1 of Article 23 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-420 "On the procedure for serving administrative arrest" dated January 9th, 2017 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2017, No. 1, Art. 2; 2019, No. 12, Art. 880; 2021, Appendix to No. 4, No. 11, Art. 1061; 2022, No. 10, Art. 984; 2023, No. 3, Art. 185; 2024, No. 3, Art. 244) shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

"to ensure free access to the special reception center for the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Deputy, regional representatives to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and Tashkent city and employees of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their safety."

7. Introduce to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-600 "On state duty" dated January 6th, 2020 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2020, No. 1, Art. 1, No. 3, Art. 201, No. 5, Art. 298, No. 10, Art. 593, No. 12, Art. 691; 2021, No. 1, Art. 13, Appendix to No. 4, No. 7, Art. 661, No. 8, Art. 800, 803, No. 10, Art. 968; 2022, No. 2, Art. 76, No. 3, Art. 214, 216, No. 4, Art. 340, No. 5, Art. 463, 464, 467, No. 12, Art. 1186; 2023, No. 2, Art. 103, No. 3, Art. 186, No. 4, Art. 265, 269, No. 6, Art. 444, 445, No. 7, Art. 538, No. 9, Art. 710; 2024, No. 1, Art. 5, 6, 7, No. 2, Art. 101, 105, 107, 108, 111, 112, No. 7, Art. 628, No. 8, Art. 819, 823, 831) amendments and supplements as follows:

1) Part 1 of the Article 8:

Paragraph 4 of Clause 45 shall be hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

"on claims, petitions and complaints lodged in the interests of individuals and families fallen into a stress conditions and of falling into a stress conditions";

shall be supplemented with paragraph 46 of the following content:

“46) “The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) — when appealing to the court with petitions and claims lodged in the interests of the citizens”;

2) Part 1 of the Article 10 shall be supplemented with Paragraph 20 of the following content:

"20) The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) — when appealing to the court with petitions submitted in the interests of the citizens."

To revoke the:

1) Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 392-I “On the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)” dated April 24th, 1997 (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 1997, No. 4-5, Art. 102);

2) Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 669-II “On Amendments and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)” dated August 27th, 2004 (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2004, No. 9, Art. 169);

3) Resolution of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 670-II “On

entry into effect of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman)” in a new edition” dated August 27th, 2004 (Bulletin of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2004, No. 9, Art. 170);

4) Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-441 “On Amendments and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman)” dated August 29th, 2017 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2017, No. 8, Art. 385);

5) Article 2 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-530 “On Amendments and Supplements to the Certain Legal Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of Mechanisms for the Protection of the Rights of Convicts and Persons Kept in Custody” dated March 14th, 2019 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2019, No. 3, Art. 165);

6) Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-563 “On Amendments and Supplements to the Certain Legal Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of Legislation on Elections” dated September 4th, 2019 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2019, No. 9, Art. 588);

7) Article 73 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-683 "On Amendments to the Certain Legal Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan" dated April 21st, 2021 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2021, Appendix to No. 4);

8) Article 2 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-909 "On Amendments and Supplements to the Certain Legal Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aimed at Improving the Activities of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a New Edition" dated February 19th, 2024 (Bulletin of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2024, No. 2, Art. 109).

The Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other concerned institutions shall ensure the implementation, availability to the executioners and clarification of the essence and meaning of this Law to the population.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

align resolutions of the government with this Law;

ensure the national executive authorities revise and revoke their regulatory acts contradicting this Law.

This Law shall enter into effect on the day of its official publication.