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Azizbek Toirov
18/06/2025 19:39
Uzbekistan acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and ratified it in 1994. Since then, the country has consistently implemented measures to create a favorable and safe environment for every child. The newly adopted law represents a key milestone in building a comprehensive national system for protecting the rights and interests of minors.
The new law, based on interdisciplinary and preventive approaches, provides a clear legal definition of all forms of violence (physical, psychological, economic, etc.) as well as neglect. It addresses a wide range of risks and threats — from domestic violence and bullying in educational institutions to exploitation, abuse, and inadequate care. Thus, Uzbekistan’s legislation is now integrated into the global discourse on child protection, wherein each state party is obliged to take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence (Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child).
A particularly significant feature of the new law is the expansion of the range of stakeholders responsible for child protection. While previously the primary responsibility rested with parents and guardianship institutions, the new framework legally involves educational, medical, and law enforcement institutions, as well as local community self-governance bodies — the mahallas. This approach aligns with international best practices of inter-agency cooperation, as reflected in the INSPIRE framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with other organizations. INSPIRE comprises seven strategies that together form a framework for ending violence against children, as well as WHO guidelines on building national child protection systems.
The establishment of the Order “For the Protection of Childhood”, mentioned in Uzbekistan’s Law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence”, is an innovative instrument of state recognition. It is aimed at fostering public respect for professionals working in child protection. This measure aligns with UNICEF’s international recommendations on encouraging professionals who prevent violence against children and contributes to strengthening the values of social responsibility.
In addition, the law provides for the creation of specialized centers for assistance and rehabilitation of children who have suffered from violence, the development of educational programs to foster respect for children’s rights, and the systematic professional development of all specialists working with minors. This reflects the comprehensive approach outlined in documents of the World Bank and UNICEF on building a sustainable child protection system. These documents highlight key elements such as:
This approach is in line with international standards, including Sustainable Development Goal 16, which emphasizes building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
The law also pays special attention to adapting international mechanisms to Uzbekistan’s traditional and cultural context. The mahalla institution is viewed not only as a form of local self-governance but also as an important channel for social monitoring, prevention, and response. This approach enhances the effectiveness of the law’s implementation and creates a model of “global localism” — adapting universal standards to the national context. It also corresponds to the position of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the need for culturally and socially relevant enforcement mechanisms.
Thus, the adoption of the Law “On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence” is not merely a formal step toward strengthening the legal framework. It is an expression of the state’s political will aimed at fostering a humane, just, and safe society. The law serves as a practical tool for implementing Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which enshrines the principle that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children.
The adoption of this law demonstrates that Uzbekistan is taking an active position in the global child rights agenda, reaffirming its commitment to international obligations. The law not only strengthens protection mechanisms but also integrates them into the broader sociocultural and moral fabric of society. It is an important step toward building a future in which every child is not only protected but also heard, recognized, and respected as a full subject of rights.
The author is a lecturer at the Tashkent State University of Law