Constructive and cooperative discussions

A bilateral meeting was held in Tashkent between Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Biljana Milosevic, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Central Asia.

The parties addressed issues regarding the practical implementation of the norms of international humanitarian law (IHL) in national legislation. Particular attention was paid to establishing a National Information Bureau (NIB). In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, states are required to establish an NIB in peacetime or to provide for mechanisms to establish one – a body intended, in the event of armed conflict, to ensure the exchange of information on prisoners of war, civilians, and missing persons.

Mr. Saidov confirmed the Centre’s readiness to serve as a coordinating link between state bodies and the Red Crescent Society to develop effective mechanisms for establishing the bureau.

An important agenda item was the discussion of legislative initiatives. The participants in the meeting noted the need to develop a special law for the Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan to clearly regulate the organization’s activities in accordance with international standards. It was proposed to use a format of broad consultations involving the diplomatic corps and international experts to prepare the draft law, a format that has already proven effective in developing the National Human Rights Strategy 2030.

Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Central Asia, Biljana Milosevic, provided information on the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, launched by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross in collaboration with six co-founding states (Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, China, Jordan, and France) to strengthen states’ political will to comply with international humanitarian law.

The parties also addressed issues related to education and raising legal awareness among youth. In particular, discussions focused on providing the academic community with high-quality literature by republishing the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols in Uzbek using the Latin script. According to the parties, updating educational materials will serve as an important resource for law students in Uzbekistan.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA