Ombudsman’s powers and authorities

Authorized Person for Human Rights (Ombudsman) is a state official empowered by the country’s parliament to protect human rights and freedoms in cases of their non-observance or violation by various state bodies and officials.

Authorized Person for Human Rights (Ombudsman) exercises parliamentary supervision over the effectiveness of implementation of human rights legislation by the following bodies and institutions:

а) State bodies;

b) Bodies of citizens’ self-governance;

c) Enterprises, institutions, organizations;

d) Non-governmental non-commercial organizations; and

e) State officials.

It is important to emphasize that Ombudsman only oversees the implementation of human rights legislation by the aforementioned bodies, but he does not exercise any control over their activities, since that is done by other relevant authorities.

Ombudsman provides assistance in restoration of citizens’ violated rights by receiving and handling complaints concerning violation of their rights by the aforementioned organizations and officials and by sending them the decision concerning possible and necessary measures to restore violated rights and freedoms. Since activity of the Authorized Person (Ombudsman) does not substitute but rather complements the existing remedies for protection of citizens’ human rights and freedoms, he mainly receives complaints that have already been administratively or legally considered and where the applicant was not satisfied with the decisions taken accordingly.

Along with other activities related to exercising parliamentary supervision of the human rights implementation, Ombudsman identifies gaps in the national legislation or inconsistencies between the existing legislation and international human rights standards, and makes relevant proposals for their improvement. With a view to study the experience of different countries in the area of protection and promotion of human rights, Ombudsman takes steps to develop international cooperation with organizations and institutions within the UN and the OSCE, as well as maintains regular contacts with Ombudsman Institutions in various countries, international Ombudsman organizations, and various human rights organizations.

The Authorized Person for human rights plays an important role in the field of raising awareness on the promotion of human rights at the national level. In doing that he/she informs and raises awareness of the general public on the issues of human rights, assists in building respect of human rights, promotes and encourages activities aimed at protection of human rights from violations. In other words, the Ombudsman contributes to building social consciousness in the field of human rights.

In the exercise of entrusted duties the Ombudsman is independent from bodies of executive and judicial powers. He/she only acts on the basis of the law, establishes rules and procedures for day-to-day activities, contacts and cooperates with state structures, non-governmental non-commercial organizations and public officials.

Interference with the activities of Ombudsman with a view to influence on his decision, non-performance by state officials of their duties established by law, as well as hindering the performance of duties of Ombudsman is subject to liability established by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.