UNCT Engagement in Human Rights – Results and Lessons in Uzbekistan UNITED NATIONS in Uzbekistan

Political Economy of HRs  Situation Analysis: –“Uzbek model of development” - strong growth (8.5 %), investment into social services, public sector jobs, compliance in HRs reporting –But also omnipotent state presence : lack of tolerance of criticism; top-down decision-making; punitive system; HRs track record –Consequence of 1) nature of governance; 2) primacy of stability; 3) primacy of community vs. individual –HRs is perceived as outside intervention/finger pointing –Linked to image of the country and low ranking in international governance/HRs comparisons Progress in child labour  State – citizen relationship as core issue –Recognized by Policy Committee (2013); commitment to promote implementation of HRs obligations, strengthen programming

1. IMPORTANCE of DIALOGUE  Joint Government - UN coordination mechanisms such as UNDAF Steering Committee as a platform to generate mandate for cooperation: o UNDAF Steering Committee meeting of 2013 gave mandate to engage in : i) follow-up to UPR recommendations and ii) preparation of MDG report;  Joint policy dialogue initiatives (preparation of 2 nd national MDG report) as means for paving the way towards dialogue on HR issues (from developmental perspective)

2. UPR as OPPORTUNITY  Willingness of Govt to engage had to be generated. So far internal exercises  UN role: –“homework” in close collaboration with OHCHR –mobilization of int. community for NAP (3 big roundtables) – substantive inputs (RBM, specific recommendations, monitoring framework, integration with treaty body recommendations)  Breakthrough in consultation approach –– NAP as platform for engagement – –Challenging agenda. Reform process behind every recommendation (legal, institutional, etc.) that will not happen unless facilitated. –Approved in Nov UN support requested for many recommendations

3. CONSOLIDATING MANDATE - UNDAF  In house exercise – programme staff trained in HRBA/root cause analysis – CCA includes theory of change for priority HRs issues  Extensive consultations with Govt. (25)  HR content  vision = expanding freedoms/HD  HR elements under different Outcomes: e.g. domestic violence under social protection  Dedicated Outcome 8: Strengthen the Protection of Rights. Indicator: level of implementation of National Action Plan

4. PROGRAMMING Future Directions: Harmonization (compliance with treaties and law making quality - with MoJ/MFA/CabMin/Parliament/IMCL) Low hanging fruits (engage with areas that are open; e.g. disability as joint programme, agency engagements) Engage with law enforcement block (soft entry points + trust building first; long term engagement. Focus on grievance processes) Strengthen monitoring: make the monitoring mechanism meaningful; engagement with NHR institutions; public participation through data disclosure Complemented by advocacy: Law on Crime Prevention Campaign (VaW) Treaty body reporting

RESULTS SUMMARY After 2005 space for HRs very limited until 2 nd UPR UPR dialogue first time opening, elevation to high level (approval; int. community engagement) Mandate and entry points for UN and broader int. community created – systemic engagement;  catalytic potential UN role as broker and convener enhanced Thematic openings increased (child labour, civil society legislation, transparency, judiciary)

LESSONS  System approach instead of classical HRs promotion interventions  Mandate necessary – 1) UPR, 2) UNDAF  HRs as a framework of objectives, but “how to get there” largely developmental  Monitoring (benchmarking, RBM, etc.)  Never take over the job – it is Government responsibility  Avoid clashes of belief system (language important)  Stay away from finger pointing - link with OHCHR  Constructive developmental approach with the HR end in mind  Balance principled approach with acknowledgement of progressive realization