On 1 November, the Uzbek Oliy Majlis’ [parliament] human rights commissioner (ombudsman) received the US ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan, Richard Norland, at the request of the latter.

A press release by the ombudsman secretariat says, following the introduction of participants in the meeting, the parliamentary commissioner spoke about the state’s policy on ensuring human rights in Uzbekistan, the activities of democratic institutions, a procedure for presenting reports by the commissions of the parliamentary [lower and upper] houses, prospects for the activities of the ombudsman institution and about cooperation with national and foreign partners, including within the framework of the International and European Ombudsman Institutions and the Asian Ombudsman Association.

The US ambassador voiced his view on new relations between our states and on the embassy’s role in presenting first-hand information on the country to its government as well as on its aspirations to find a "common language" in the issues of humanitarian nature, including human rights. Recalling incidents that had taken place in the US prisons - Abu Ghraib in Iraq and Guantanamo in Cuba, he admitted the fact that no country had a monopoly on full provision for the category [as published].

Norland asked a number of questions related to Uzbekistan’s specific stance on the NGOs and foreign organizations as well as on the Uzbek ombudsman’s participation in the procedure of "Habeas corpus" and in reforming the legal system. On all the questions asked, the parliamentary commissioner provided exhaustive answers.

The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere, at the end of which, materials and publications by the Uzbek parliamentary human rights commissioner were handed over to the envoy.

Officials from the embassy and the secretariats of the ombudsman and the Uzbek Foreign Ministry attended the meeting.