The DROI delegation was composed of J. Weidenholzer (S&D, AT), J. Zeller (EPP, DE) and K. Buchner (Greens/EFA, DE). The Chair of the delegation, Mr Josef Weidenholzer, stated:
"The European Parliament has had concerns about the human rights situation in Uzbekistan and for several years therefore postponed its consent to include textiles in the 1999 EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). MEPs finally backed the deal in a vote in December 2016 acknowledging Uzbekistan’s efforts to eradicate child labour in its cotton harvests. Our impression now, after a three-day visit, is of a country where change is in the air, the road to openness and modernisation lies open if the political resolve to choose this path is strong and consistent".
"We emphasise the fact that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are essential for progress in all societies. We agree with the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who at the end of his visit this month, stated that there is a long way to go to reach a future where every Uzbek has their human rights observed and state-sponsored violations become a distant memory. We are hopeful that the journey has begun", added the Chair of the delegation, Mr Josef Weidenholzer.
A delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights conducted a visit to Uzbekistan from 22 to 24 May 2017 to obtain information on the human rights situation in the country and exchange views with a wide range of stakeholders including civil society, ministries and international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The delegation had meetings with the Uzbek authorities including with:
- Members of both Chambers of Parliament, the Oliy Majlis
- Foreign Minister Mr A Kamilov
- Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Mr Aziz Abdukhakimov
- Head of the National Centre for Human Rights, Mr Akmal Saidov.
The delegation appreciated the hospitality and openness of its Uzbek counterparts. The delegation also acknowledged significant legislative progress made in certain areas such as the new laws on limiting detention time for suspects from 72 hours to 48 hours. While recognising that irreversible reforms of the judiciary and prison and detention conditions are needed, the delegation pointed specifically to the need to end the practice of extending prison sentences. In the area of labour rights, the need to continue with efforts, in cooperation with the ILO, to eliminate all types of child labour and forced labour is emphasised.
The European Parliament is one of the EU's most important institutions. It is elected every five years by the people of Europe. Parliament's main responsibilities are to adopt European legislation and approve the EU’s annual budget. The Subcommittee on Human Rights promotes the values on which the European Union is founded in third countries, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
