Committee on international affairs and inter-parliamentary cooperation of the Legislative Chamber organized the workshop entitled "Actual issues on practical implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" in cooperation with UNDP project "Enhancing Legislative and Institutional Capacities of the Parliament".

The project "Enhancing Legislative and Institutional Capacities of the Parliament" supported this seminar. The aim of the project is to enhance capacity of the Legislative Chamber for effective law drafting, increased transparency and accessibility of the law drafts to public, and wider participation of academia, experts, general public, civil society, relevant governmental structures in legislative processes.

The workshop was attended by the MPs, ministries and departments, Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis (Ombudsman), National Human Rights Center, UNDP, scientists and others. The participants considered the enforcement of the decree of the president of Uzbekistan "On the Action Program dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".

On 10 December 1948 the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a historic milestone in the evolution of our common understanding, and affirmation, of values we deem inviolable: that all human beings are born free and with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms!

The Declaration, for the first time, set out universal human rights for all people in an individual context, thanks to extraordinary vision and determination of the drafters. Now available in more than 360 languages (including the Uzbek language), the Declaration is the most translated document in the world -- a testament to its universal nature and reach. It has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies.

The UN launched a year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2007. The entire UN family will take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration’s ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. UNDP Uzbekistan also plans to support and organize various events to contribute to commemoration of the anniversary of the Declaration.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree "On the Action Program dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" on 1 May 2008. The Decree foresees implementation of various activities in the field of human rights: in education, legal developments and improvement of access to justice. The country also allocated US$100,000 to the commemoration of the Decloration.

Opening the workshop, Muhammadyusuf Teshabaev, chairperson of the Committee on international affairs and inter-parliamentary cooperation, said the protection of human rights and freedoms became the issue of state policy. He said Uzbekistan joined to over 60 main human rights documents, including six key UN treaties.

Akmal Saidov, chairperson of the Committee on democratic institutes, NGOs and self-governance bodies and director of the National Human Rights Center, noted that the Declaration inspired the constitutions of over 110 countries. He said that the Constitution of Uzbekistan reflects some ideas of the Declaration.

Kyoko Postill said: "The Declaration is a historic milestone in the evolution of our common understanding, and affirmation, of the universal value: that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." She welcomed the adoption of the presidential decree on and expressed hope that all its activities will be implemented successfully.

During the discussion, the participants considered issues on improvement of execution of protection of political, economic, social rights and freedoms of people, monitoring of the realization of human rights and freedoms, liberalization of judicial-legal system and others.