The Law on the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence Enters into Force in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan joined the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and ratified it in 1994. And since then, it has been consistently implementing measures to create a favorable and safe environment for every child. The adopted document became a key stage in building a state system for protecting the rights and interests of minors.

The new law, based on an interdisciplinary and preventive approach, legally clearly defines all forms of violence (physical, psychological, economic, etc.), as well as neglect. It covers a wide range of risks and threats: from domestic violence and bullying in educational institutions, exploitation, abuse, and lack of proper care. Thus, the legislation of Uzbekistan is integrated into the global discourse on the protection of the rights of the child, in which each State Party is obliged to take all effective and 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). Of particular importance is the expansion of the circle of entities responsible for the protection of the child. If previously the main responsibility was assigned to parents and guardianship institutions, now the legal field includes educational, medical and law enforcement institutions, as well as self-government bodies of citizens - mahallas. This approach is in line with the international practice of interdepartmental cooperation, mentioned, in particular, in the INSPIRE complex, developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with other organizations, which includes seven strategies that together represent a framework for the elimination of violence against children, as well as in the WHO guidelines for the creation of national systems for the protection of the younger generation. The establishment of the Order "For the Protection of Childhood", mentioned in the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence", is an innovative instrument of state recognition aimed at forming public respect for professionals working in the field of protecting children's rights. This measure is consistent with UNICEF's international recommendations to encourage specialists who prevent violence against children and helps to strengthen the values ​​of social responsibility.

In addition, the law provides for the creation of specialized centers for assistance and rehabilitation for children who have suffered from violence, the development of educational programs aimed at educating in the spirit of respect for the rights of the child, as well as systematically improving the skills of all specialists working with minors. This is in line with the comprehensive approach outlined in the World Bank and UNICEF documents on building a sustainable child protection system. In these documents, the key elements are:

• accessibility of services, including social protection, health care, education and legal assistance, providing comprehensive support to children and their families; • interdepartmental coordination aimed at effective interaction between various sectors and institutions to ensure a comprehensive approach to protecting the rights and well-being of children;

• accountability, which implies transparency and responsibility of all participants in the system to society and stakeholders for the results of their activities.

This approach is consistent with international standards, including Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The law pays special attention to the adaptation of international mechanisms to the traditional and cultural characteristics of Uzbekistan. The institution of the mahalla is considered not only as a form of local self-government, but also as an important channel for social monitoring, prevention and response. This approach increases the effectiveness of the law's implementation and creates a model of "global localism" (adaptation of universal standards taking into account the national context). This is consistent with the position of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the need for cultural and social relevance of law enforcement mechanisms. Thus, the adoption of the Law "On the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence" is not just a formal measure to strengthen the regulatory framework, but an expression of the political will of the state aimed at forming a humane, fair and safe society. The document serves as a practical tool for implementing Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which enshrines the principle of the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in all actions concerning children. The adoption of this law indicates that Uzbekistan takes an active position in the global agenda ke on the rights of the child, confirming its commitment to international obligations. The law not only strengthens protection mechanisms, but also integrates them into the broader socio-cultural and moral context of society. This is an important step towards building a future in which every child will not only be protected, but also heard, recognized and respected as a full-fledged subject of law.

Azizbek Toyirov,

Teacher at TSUL.