The online meeting on February 28 between Uzbekistan and Finland’s children’s ombudsmen aimed at sharing insights and enhancing cooperation on child protection. Key discussions included Uzbekistan’s new child protection law and Finland’s practices in safeguarding children’s rights. The meeting reinforced the significance of collaboration between agencies to tackle child rights violations effectively.
On February 28, an online meeting facilitated by the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) brought together the children’s ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Finland to share experiences and explore child protection cooperation. Surayyo Rakhmonova, Uzbekistan’s Ombudsman for Children’s Rights, highlighted the impact of the new law, “On Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence,” aimed at preventing violence against children and supporting victims and families.
Ambassador Antti Karttunen reminded participants that this meeting was a continuation of a study visit to Finland conducted from December 11 to 13, 2024, where Uzbekistan’s delegation engaged with Finnish officials and NGOs on practices to combat child sexual crimes. The Finnish Ombudsman for Children, Elina Pekkarinen, discussed her office’s pivotal role in fostering communication with youth and monitoring their rights, along with collaboration with government agencies and NGOs.
The meeting underscored the importance of effective inter-agency cooperation in addressing child rights violations, highlighting successful case studies and mechanisms to uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Participants exchanged best practices to enhance their child protection frameworks and ensure the well-being of children in both countries.
The online meeting between the children’s ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Finland provided an essential platform for discussing child protection strategies and experiences. It emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and the implementation of protective laws. Both countries expressed a commitment to improving child rights protection, guided by effective communication and collaboration with relevant organizations.
Original Source: www.osce.org
