10 Facts About the Ombudsman’s Activities

Fact 1. The Ombudsman is an official responsible for parliamentary oversight of the compliance with human rights legislation by state bodies, including law enforcement and supervisory agencies, enterprises, institutions, organizations, and their officials.

Fact 2. The Ombudsman reviews complaints from citizens, foreign residents, stateless persons, and legal entities regarding the actions or inactions of organizations and officials that violate human rights and freedoms, and has the authority to conduct independent investigations.

Fact 3. The law enhances the legal status of the Ombudsman’s permanent regional representatives, established on the initiative of the head of state. These representatives can conduct on-site investigations involving specialists, if necessary.

Fact 4. Legal mechanisms have been introduced to maintain "Ombudsman Boxes" in penal institutions and pre-trial detention centers. The law also provides for the formation of public groups to assist in the preventing torture.

Fact 5. To restore violated rights of citizens, the Ombudsman can issue warnings, representations, motions, and demands to relevant state bodies and organizations. Ombudsman’s representations are mandatory for immediate review by officials of these organizations.

In the event of a threat to human rights, the Ombudsman can issue warnings to the relevant organizations.

The Ombudsman can also file motions to hold those who violated human rights accountable and issue demands to investigate allegations of torture.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman has the right to represent citizens in courts and submit findings based on the examination of complaints to restore violated rights.

Fact 6. The Ombudsman has the right to introduce legislative initiatives in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This allows proposing legislative solutions to problems raised in citizens' appeals and addressing legal gaps.

Fact 7. The Ombudsman can present special reports to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, and the Cabinet of Ministers on specific aspects of human rights protection, as well as related 0legal, organizational, and socio-economic measures.

Fact 8. The Ombudsman is authorized to prepare alternative reports on Uzbekistan’s implementation of international human rights obligations and submit them to relevant international organizations. These reports are developed in collaboration with civil society institutions and NGOs.

Fact 9. The Ombudsman has the right to participate in meetings of state bodies and organizations that address issues related to the protection of citizens’ rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests, including sessions of the Plenum of the Supreme Court.

Fact 10. Annually, no later than February 15 of the year following the reporting year, the Ombudsman must submit a report on their activities to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis.

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