On October 3, meeting with members of the delegation led by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the UN Human Rights Council A.Shaheed was held at the Development strategy center.

The event was attended by representatives of NGOs and other civil society institutions, national cultural centers, religious confessions in our country. 

It was noted that in the Strategy of actions on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021, developed at the initiative of the President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev, current tasks are envisaged in the sphere of ensuring religious tolerance and interethnic unity, which is an important factor in strengthening the atmosphere of interethnic and interfaith harmony in our country. 

Committee on interethnic relations and friendly ties with foreign countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan plays an important role in development of national values of representatives of nations and nationalities residing in our country. 

The visit of the delegation led by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the UN Human Rights Council A.Shaheed is carried out on the basis of the action plan developed in June this year jointly with our country and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

At the meeting, A.Shaheed told about the purpose of getting acquainted with the work carried out in Uzbekistan in the sphere of ensuring freedom of religion and belief, the experience of our country in this direction and conclusions to be drawn up following the visit. He also emphasized that the system of special rapporteurs, which has a central place in UN activities, covers all civil, cultural, economic, socio-political rights, therefore this acquaintance will promote further expansion of open and practical dialogue between Uzbekistan and the Office. 

During the event, representatives of NGOs and other civil society institutions informed members of the delegation about the reforms that are being carried out in Uzbekistan on further deepening democratization, strengthening friendship, harmony and mutual respect between representatives of various nations and nationalities, religions and denominations, as well as their results. It was noted that establishment of all necessary conditions for freedom of religion serves to provide an atmosphere of peace, harmony and tolerance in Uzbekistan. 

On the same day, members of the delegation met with the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), held negotiations at the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.