E/C.12/UZB/CO/3

Uzbekistan (31 March 2022)

The Committee considered the third periodic report of Uzbekistan1 at its 13th, 15th and 17th meetings, held on 22, 23 and 24 February 2022, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 30th meeting, held on 4 March 2022.

Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Uzbekistan

C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Non-discrimination

20. The Committee notes the information by the State party on the prohibition of discrimination in the Constitution and the legislative framework, as well as the information on the drafting of the Equality and Non-Discrimination Bill, which is being considered by Parliament. The Committee is concerned about:

(a) The lack of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and policy frameworks;

(b) The criminalization of sexual relations between consenting male adults, under article 120 of the Criminal Code, and the prevalence of intimidation, harassment, violence and stigma against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, which hinder their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights;

(c) The stigma and discrimination faced by persons living with HIV/AIDS in the areas of medical care, employment and family rights, due to the discriminatory provisions in the State party’s legislative framework (art. 2 (2)).

21. The Committee recommends the State party to:

(a) Expedite the adoption of the Equality and Non-Discrimination Bill and ensure that it guarantees adequate protection against all forms of discrimination in order to ensure equal access to all economic, social and cultural rights;

(b) Repeal article 120 of the Criminal Code;

(c) Review its legislative framework with the aim of eliminating discriminatory provisions against persons with HIV/AIDS;

(d) Establish mechanisms to ensure that victims of discrimination can seek redress, including effective administrative and judicial remedies;

(e) Conduct awareness-raising campaigns targeting the public, health-care providers, and law enforcement and other public officials to eliminate negative
stereotypes and stigma against members of marginalized groups, such as persons living with HIV, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; 

(f) Consider its general comment No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in
economic, social and cultural rights.