Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - More than 530 people were returned from disadvantaged regions such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan to Uzbekistan in 2019-2021. This was noted in a speech at the thematic roundtable by Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Director of the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR).

"Round table" on the topic "Strengthening the role and capabilities of the National Human Rights Institutions of Uzbekistan in the field of monitoring and evaluation of measures for the reintegration and resocialization of repatriates from conflict zones, including women and children from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan" was held on 5 April 2022 in Tashkent.

It was organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Commissioners of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights and Children's Rights, the NCHR, the UN OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia.

As Akmal Saidov emphasized, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the framework of a humane policy, carried out 5 special operations "Mehr" to evacuate citizens of Uzbekistan from the above countries. Of the total number of those returned - more than 120 women and about 380 children.

In order to restore repatriates returned under the Mehr programs and their social adaptation, the Government of Uzbekistan adopted regulatory legal acts, created the Republican and territorial interdepartmental commissions, which carried out rehabilitation and social adaptation measures for repatriates, their employment, psychological assistance, accommodation children in kindergartens and schools, etc.

During the first stage of rehabilitation within a month, medical examinations were carried out for repatriates in Buston sanatorium of Tashkent region, measures were taken to restore identity documents, as well as to issue birth certificates to children born in the Syrian-Iraqi zone within the framework of the current legislation

Further, within the framework of the second period of adaptation in places, repatriates in their places of permanent residence were assisted in finding employment or continuing education, and involving them in an active social life.

Psychologists and other specialists organized work with relatives to have a positive preventive effect on repatriated citizens in family conditions. The moral support of close relatives and friends turned out to be a key factor in the successful re-socialization of repatriates. Other measures have been taken for the social adaptation of these citizens of the country.

On 15 March 2022, within the framework of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council, a report was heard by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnualy ni Aolein, following a visit to Uzbekistan on November 29 - December 7 current year.

She highly appreciated the activities of the Government of Uzbekistan in repatriation and reintegration of women and children from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. According to her, “The repatriation model created in Uzbekistan and based on the family and community is an example of best practice in repatriation, ensuring the best interests of the child and full reintegration of women returning from conflict zones as a priority of political, legal and public activities”.

In general, the program implemented by the Government of Uzbekistan for such repatriation of citizens of the country, despite what they have done in the past, can serve as an example for many countries whose citizens are still in refugee camps in Syria and Iraq, and is also perceived as exemplary work in the field of ensuring the rights person.