On March 11th, an International Public Discussion on the Protection of Rights of Artistic Expression and other Cultural Rights and Diversity in Uzbekistan was held at the Ilkhom Theatre, organised by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the Nationwide Movement “Yuksalish”, and Ilkhom Theatre. The event was organised within the “Enhancing the Quality of Uzbekistan’s Application of International Law (EQUAL)” project, which the European Union funds. Uzbekistan has been a member of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECESCR) since 1995, which guarantees cultural rights and diversity.
The last report of the Special Rapporteur on cultural rights (A/73/227 of 2018) highlights that cultural rights are an integral part of the principles of universality and diversity that ensure human dignity and self-expression, be it in artistic or non-artistic ways. The event was intended to inspire meaningful dialogue and collaboration among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders and guide an effective implementation of this law according to international law and standards.
It was the fifth expert discussion held within the framework of the EQUAL project, the first being on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the second on the practical implementation of the recommendations of the CEDAW and CESCR Committees, the third on the monitoring and coordination of implementation of the UN treaties in Uzbekistan: example of CRC, ICECSR and CEDAW, and the fourth on From Legislation to Action: Effective Measures for Protecting Women and Children from Violence in Uzbekistan. Earlier, between 2017 and 2021, six expert discussions took place within the ACCESS (Advancing Civil Society in Promoting ESC Rights Standards) project implemented by the ICJ under the support of the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan.
The event occurred at the Ilkhom Theatre to illustrate a creative space and discuss challenges faced by artists, collectives, and groups on the day of the play “Underground Girls”, a performance based on true stories. The main objective of the EQUAL project is to promote, by supporting civil society, equal protection of economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights for groups particularly vulnerable to discrimination in Uzbekistan. The project is funded by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and implemented by the International Commission of Jurists.
