2020 Annual Narrative Progress Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2020 Annual Narrative Progress Report UN MULTI-PARTNER HUMAN SECURITY TRUST FUND FOR THE ARAL SEA REGION IN UZBEKISTAN ANNUAL 20 REPORT 20 4 TABLE OF CONTENS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................6 1. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FUND .........................................................................7 - MPHSTF Outcome 3. Local community access to affordable and healthy food and clean drinking water is secured ........................................13 - MPHSTF Outcome 4. The overall health of the local population is improved, and healthy lifestyle promoted .....................................................19 2. FUND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE ............................................................24 3. FUND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ..................................................................34 Annex 1. HUMAN INTEREST STORIES ..................................................................43 Annex 2. MPHSTF RESULTS FRAMEWORK ..........................................................47 5 LIST OF ACRONYMS AC Advisory Committee on RCO Resident Coordinator Sustainable Development Office of the Aral Sea Region RoK Republic of CFP Call for Proposals Karakalpakstan CDPs Community development RMP Resource Mobilisation plans and Partnership Strategy CPAP Continuous Positive SC Steering Committee Airway Pressure of the UN MPHSTF EIB European Investment SDGs Sustainable Bank Development Goals EmOC Emergency Obstetric Care SIC ICWC Scientific-Information EU European Union Center of the Interstate Coordination Water FAO Food and Agriculture Commission of Central Organisation Asia HMIS Health Management SMEs Small and Medium-Sized Information System Enterprises ICT Information and ToR Terms of Reference Communications Technology TRP Technical Review Panel IICAS International Innovation TS Technical Secretariat Center for the Aral Sea of the MPHSTF Basin UNESCO United Nations JP Joint Programme Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation MCH Maternal and Child Health UNFPA United Nations MIFT Ministry of Investment Population Fund and Foreign Trade UNICEF United Nations MOH Ministry of Health Children’s Fund MPHSTF UN Multi-Partner Human UNDP United Nations Security Trust Fund Development Programme for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan UNODC United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations VCC Village council of citizens NMCR Near-miss Case Review WASH Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene PUNOs Participating UN Organisations WHO World Health Organisation LIST OF ACRONYMS 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2020,, the UN Multi-Partner Human EU contributed USD 9.1 million to the Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Trust Fund, underscoring a high level of Region in Uzbekistan (MPHSTF), a multi- international commitment to mitigate the partnership financial and development negative consequences of the Aral Sea instrument of the Government of disaster. Just as importantly, the MPHSTF Uzbekistan, the United Nations, represents a good model of international international donors and the financial partnership, in which the Government of community, consolidated and expanded its Uzbekistan, the UN, and the international work towards a people-centred response to community have pooled their respective addressing the consequences of one of the resources and expertise to jointly deliver on world’s biggest man-made environmental the Trust Fund’s strategic objectives. This disasters. model of multilateralism is a critical step forward in the face of this environmental The MPHSTF recorded a number of crisis. successes in 2020. In particular, this report presents key achievements of the Fund, Within the Second Call for Proposals, the significant milestones for 2020, and some MPHSTF Steering Committee approved of the key achievements of the two joint an additional three Joint Programmes for programmes that were approved within the funding to the amount of USD 6 million, First Call for proposals (CFP) announced in addressing such priority areas as Youth, early 2019. Innovation, and Health Security. The first joint programme (JP), Another achievement is the official launch implemented by the United Nations of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Development Programme (UNDP) and Development of the Aral Sea Region United Nations Educational, Scientific and in Uzbekistan, which aims to support Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) continued coherent, sustainable development in the to “Address urgent human securities in the region and implement the concept of the Aral Sea region by promoting sustainable Aral Sea being a Zone of Environmental rural development” in support of MPHSTF Innovations and Technologies. Outcome 3. This resulted in improved access to clean drinking water, increased The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 income generation and employment pandemic which had far reaching health, opportunities, and support for climate and socio-economic consequences. As change adaptation measures through the the pandemic grew, mitigation measures, findings of scientific expeditions to the including movement restrictions, drained bed of the Aral Sea. became widespread and impacted on the performance of development interventions The second Joint Programme, implemented all over the world, including within the by the United Nations Children’s Fund MPHSTF. Nevertheless, COVID-19 also (UNICEF) and United Nations Population created some opportunities, including Fund (UNFPA), focuses on “Improving the boosting the development of online and quality of perinatal care service to the most digital instruments to tackle the negative vulnerable mothers and newborns.” This consequences of the Aral Sea crisis. contributed to the Fund’s Outcome 4 and resulted in improved access to perinatal Going forward, the MPHSTF will focus services through improved infrastructure on encouraging others to join this effort, and trainings of medical personnel. so that the goal of ensuring the human security of the population affected by the In 2020, the Governments of Uzbekistan, global Aral Sea disaster can be achieved Finland, Republic of Korea, and the together. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 I. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FUND Donors continued to actively support the MPHSTF in 2020, which included additional contributions of USD 9.1 million from the Governments of Uzbekistan, Finland, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union. On November 2020, the Steering Committee approved three joint programmes amounting to USD 6 million within the Second Call for Proposals, addressing such priority areas as Youth, Innovation, and Health Security. Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic and certain restrictions imposed in the country from March 2020, the first two MPHSTF joint programmes made significant progress towards Outcomes 3 and 4, including: the provision of clean drinking water to 3,491 rural people in 5 communities in Takhtakupir district; the selection of 6 business projects for co-financing. Of these, 2 were supported (Soap production and Improvement of Dentistry services) and 8 people employed. The remaining 4 business projects are at the stage of receiving deliveries of equipment. All 6 projects provided opportunities for 35 rural people to be employed, benefiting at least 5,537 people; on the dry seabed, 2 scientific expeditions were conducted, more than 30 plant species were identified from 1,500 different points, and these were recommended for planting on the dried seabed; improved technical and financial capacity of the Takhtakupir forestry department, which helped plant saxaul on over 3,000 hectares of land on the dried bed and created a nursery on 49 hectares of land for growing seedlings from drought-resistant plants and 58 hectares of pasture areas; 8 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FUND the renovation of 3 perinatal centres in Kungrad and Beruniy districts and Nukus city. As a result, more than 8,900 mothers and 9,000 newborns directly benefited from upgraded infrastructure and improved quality of care. This led to a 40 per cent decrease in the antenatal mortality rate at the Nukus city Perinatal Center, and a nearly 30 per cent and 17 per cent decrease in early neonatal deaths at the Beruniy and Kungrad Perinatal Centers, respectively a total of 5 medical facilities (the Regional Perinatal Center, the Karakalpak Medical Institute, and the Beruniy, Kungrad and Nukus City perinatal centers) were equipped with sets of web-conferencing equipment for face-to-face training, online learning, and coordination meetings. On December 1, 2020, the UN, in cooperation with the Government, jointly hosted the Inaugural Meeting of the Advisory Committee to support sustainable development in the Aral Sea Region. More than 120 representatives from foreign missions to Uzbekistan, international financing institutions, UN agencies, international non-government organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and civil society organisations participated in the meeting. The creation of this Advisory Committee will enable constructive dialogue between all stakeholders on various aspects of development of the Aral Sea region. 11 12 13 UNDP and UNESCO Joint Programme “Addressing the urgent human insecurities in the Aral Sea region through the promotion of sustainable rural development” The JP’s goal is to address environmental, social, and economic insecurities in the most vulnerable communities of the Aral Sea region through comprehensive solutions to cope with environmental issues, promote access to basic services, improve living standards, and develop sustainable tourism. The JP aims
Recommended publications
  • Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Uzbekistan
    Renewable Energy Bekzod Asadov, Ministry of Energy, in Uzbekistan Republic of Uzbekistan Tashkent 2021 Power sector – fuel sources Mineral resource diversity excludes the dependence Energy supply on a single resource type diversification by source Hydropower Natural gas Uranium Coal Investments of USD 2.7 bn in 2017–2025 to develop 18 new projects and upgrade 14 existing plants Place in world 24th 16th 29th reserves Solar 51 bln tons of oil equivalent Place in world 13th 7th 34th Wind Production 360 mln tons of oil equivalent for wind energy 2 Government’s recent power sector reforms Electricity market models and transition stages identified JSC “Thermal power Together with experts from JSC “Uzbekhydroenergo” the WB, ADB and EBRD, a plants” ~ Total installed capacity: 1 new version of the ~ Total installed capacity: 13 Electricity Law is being 932 MW 415 MW developed The Electricity Grid Code is being developed with technical support from the World Bank JSC “Uzbekenergo” JSC “Regional Electric JSC “National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan” Network of Uzbekistan” The Concept for the Distribution and supply of Transportation of electrical provision of the Republic of Uzbekistan with electric electrical energy to energy from generation energy for 2020-2030 was consumers through sources through high voltage developed distribution networks. networks Transition to IEC standards in progress 4 Uzbekistan’s Development plans of RES Gas fired old Gas fired new Hydro Due to active measures for the development Coal fired Solar PV Wind of renewables and the construction of Nuclear Load balancers, gas Isolated stations 0.13 nuclear power plant the consumption of 1.31 natural gas by TPP is expected to decrease 2.40 up to 25% in 2030, despite of the increasing 3.00 electricity generation to 75%.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Hotel Management
    Temir yo‘l transporti orqali yuklar tashish asoslari 5-MAVZU Reja Temir yoʻl transporti tarixi Temir yo‘l transporti orqali yuklar tashish uchun mo‘ljallangan maxsus vagonlar va ularning turlari. Temir yul transportidan foydalanish hakidagi konvensiya. kullabs.com Temir yoʻl transporti tarixi Temir yoʻl transporti yuk va yoʻlovchilarni lokomotiv va motorvagonlar vositasida temir yoʻl boʻylab tashiydigan transport turi Uning paydo boʻlishi yirik 18-asr oxiri va 19-asr temir rudasi, koʻmir, qurilish sanoat taraqqiyoti, ayniqsa, boshlarida kapitalizmning materiallari va shu kabini togʻkon va metallurgiya sanoati rivojlanishi yuk aylanmasi ommaviy tashishga ehtiyoj taraqqiyoti bilan bogʻliq tuzilmasini tubdan oʻzgartirdi oʻsdi Stokton —Darlington temir yoʻli 1825 yil jahonda birinchi umumiy foydalanishdagi Stokton —Darlington temir yoʻl (21 km, Angliya) J.Stefenson tomonidan qurilgan 30-yillarda Avstriya, Germaniya, Belgiya, Fransiya, Rossiyada xam temir yoʻl qurildi 1850—70 yillarda Osiyo, Afrika, Jan. Amerika va Avstraliyada xam kurila boshladi 20-asr boshlarida jahonda temir yoʻl tarmogʻi 1 mln. km dan oshdi Oʻzbekistonda dastlabki temir yoʻl 1886—88 yillarda Zakaspiy temir yoʻlining Forob styasidan Samarqandgacha yotqizilgan 1888 yil may oyida Amudaryo orqali 2,7 km uzunlikdagi yogʻoch koʻprik qurib bitkazilishi Keyinchalik bu yoʻl 1895—97 yillarda Ursatyevskaya (Xovos) styasidan Qoʻqongacha davom ettirildi 1890 yil kuzida 1874 yilda Rossiya imperiyasining maxsus temir yoʻl komissiyasi qurish 1906 yil yanvarda Toshkent — Orenburg temir
    [Show full text]
  • Commercial Banks of Uzbekistan
    Commercial banks of Uzbekistan August 10, 2005 JETRO Tashkent office Copyright 2005 JETRO Content Part 1 Overview of Banking System ........................................................................................................................... 3 Total table: Business information...................................................................................................................... 4 Total table: Staff information............................................................................................................................ 8 Total table: Service charges .............................................................................................................................10 Total table: Owners .........................................................................................................................................12 Total table: Clients ..........................................................................................................................................15 Part 2 1. National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan .......................................................................18 2. State Joint-Stock Commercial bank "ASAKA Bank"....................................................................................22 3. State Commercial "Uzbekiston Respublikasi Xalq banki".............................................................................24 4. UzDaewoo bank ..........................................................................................................................................26
    [Show full text]
  • “Tashkent's Reforms Have Not
    “TASHKENT’S REFORMS HAVE NOT YET REACHED US” UNFINISHED WORK IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FORCED LABOR IN UZBEKISTAN’S 2019 COTTON HARVEST “TASHKENT’S REFORMS HAVE NOT YET REACHED US” UNFINISHED WORK IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FORCED LABOR IN UZBEKISTAN’S 2019 COTTON HARVEST 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 KEY FINDINGS FROM THE 2019 HARVEST 6 METHODOLOGY 8 TABLE 1: PARTICIPATION IN THE COTTON HARVEST 10 POSITIVE TRENDS 12 FORCED LABOR LINKED TO GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND CONTROL 13 MAIN RECRUITMENT CHANNELS FOR COTTON PICKERS: 15 TABLE 2: PERCEPTION OF PENALTY FOR REFUSING TO PICK COTTON ACCORDING TO WHO RECRUITED RESPONDENTS 16 TABLE 3: WORKING CONDITIONS FOR PICKERS ACCORDING TO HOW THEY WERE RECRUITED TO PICK COTTON 16 TABLE 4: PERCEPTION OF COERCION BY RECRUITMENT METHODS 17 LACK OF FAIR AND EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURAL LABOR SHORTAGES 18 STRUCTURAL LABOR SHORTAGES 18 LACK OF FAIR AND EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT SYSTEMS 18 FORCED LABOR MOBILIZATION 21 1. ABILITY TO REFUSE TO PICK COTTON 21 TABLE 5: ABILITY TO REFUSE TO PICK COTTON 21 TABLE 6: RESPONDENTS’ ABILITY TO REFUSE TO PICK COTTON ACCORDING TO HOW THEY WERE RECRUITED 22 2. MENACE OF PENALTY 22 TABLE 7: PENALTIES FOR REFUSAL 22 TABLE 8: PERCEIVED PENALTIES FOR REFUSAL TO PICK COTTON BY PROFESSION 23 3. REPLACEMENT FEES/EXTORTION 23 TABLE 9: FEES TO AVOID COTTON PICKING 23 CHART 1: PAYMENT OF FEES BY REGION 24 OFFICIALS FORCIBLY MOBILIZED LABOR FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST TO MEET LABOR SHORTAGES 24 LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY, AND EMERGENCIES PERSONNEL 24 PUBLIC UTILITIES
    [Show full text]
  • Iqtidorli Talabalarning Ilmiy Axborotnomasi 1-Son
    Иқтидорли талабалар илмий ахборотномаси 2019 йил 3-сон Иқтидорли талабалар илмий ахборотномаси 2019 йил 3-сон Бош муҳаррир: Наманган давлат университети ректори, тарих фанлари номзоди доцент М.Х.Эсанов Масъул муҳаррир: Илмий ишлар ва инновациялар бўйича проректор, кимё фанлари номзоди, доцент М.Р.Қодирхонов Масъул муҳаррир ўринбосари: Иқтидорли талабаларнинг илмий тадқиқот фаолиятини ташкил этиш бўлими бошлиғи Ж.Юлдашев Т А Ҳ Р И Р Ҳ А Й Ъ А Т И Физика-математика фанлари: ф-м.ф.д.,доц.Б.Саматов, ф-м.ф.д. Р.Хакимов Кимё фанлари- к.ф.д., проф. Ш.Абдуллаев, PhD Д.Холматов Биология фанлари- б.ф.д. А.Баташов, б.ф.д. Ғ.Абдуллаев. Техника фанлари- т.ф.д., проф С.Юнусов, т.ф.н доц Т.Сайпиев Қишлоқ хўжалиги фанлари – г.ф.д., доц. Б.Камалов, қ-х.ф.н., доц. А.Қазақов. Тарих фанлари – т.ф.д, проф. А.Расулов, т.ф.н., доц. З.Мадрахимов Иқтисодиёт фанлари – и.ф.д., проф.Н.Махмудов, и.ф.н., доц .К.Сирожиддинов Фалсафа фанлари – PhD Р. Замилова, ф.ф.н., О.Маматов. Филология фанлари – ф.ф.д., проф. Н.Улуқов, ф.ф.д.,доц. Ҳ.Усманова. География фанлари - г.ф.д., доц. Б.Камалов, г.ф.н., доц.Э.Солиев Педагогика фанлари- п.ф.д. Доц Ў.Асқаров, п.ф.н доц М.Нишонов Тиббиёт фанлари – б.ф.д. Ғ.Абдуллаев, тиб.ф.н., доц. С.Болтабоев. Психология фанлари – п.ф.д.,проф З.Нишанова, п.ф.н., доц. М.Махсудова Техник муҳаррир: Л.Мамасаидов Таҳририят манзили: Наманган шаҳри, Уйчи кўчаси, 316-уй. Тел: (0369)227-01-44, 227-06-12 Факс: (0369)227-07-61 e- mail: [email protected] “Иқтидорли талабалар Илмий Ахборотномаси” журнал НамДУ Илмий- техникавий Кенгашининг наватдан ташқари 2.12.2019 йилдаги кенгайтирилган йиғилишида муҳокама қилиниб, илмий тўплам сифатида чоп этишга рухсат этилган (Баённома № 12).
    [Show full text]
  • Making Pregnancy Safer in Uzbekistan
    Making Pregnancy Safer, Beyond the numbers, Activities Report 2002-2008 The WHO Regional Office for Europe The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations created in 1948 with the primary responsibility for international health matters and public health. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is one of six regional offices throughout the world, each with its own programme geared to the particular health conditions of the countries it serves. Abstract Member States Upon request from the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, the WHO Regional Office for Albania Europe has carried out activities for mother and child health care in Uzbekistan since Andorra Armenia the 1990s in collaboration with a number of partners. The WHO Making Pregnancy Austria Safer programme has been implemented since 2002, through a series of policy Azerbaijan dialogues with the Ministry of Health and partners, and based on the sustained Belarus provision of technical expertise in key areas. In 2003, the Ministry of Health issued a Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina comprehensive normative document (Prikaz) on mother and newborn care, with the Bulgaria support of United Nations agencies and intergovernmental and nongovernmental Croatia organizations: the first in a series of documents endorsing evidence-based practices Cyprus Czech Republic and WHO recommendations. Making Pregnancy Safer activities have included training Denmark workshops on improving maternal and neonatal health care, and assessment and Estonia follow-up after training to reinforce the skills acquired during courses in a number of Finland districts. Evidence-based care for mothers and newborn babies was introduced at a France Georgia 2003 workshop, and evidence-based guidelines for obstetric complications were Germany developed in the following years.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Uzbekistan Water Supply System Development Project
    Initial Environmental Examination Document stage: Final version Project number: September 2017 Republic of Uzbekistan: Western Uzbekistan Water Supply System Development Project Prepared by the Communal Services Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan “KOMMUNKHIZMAT” for thО Asian DОvОlopmОnt Bank (ADB) This report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB Board of Directors or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY.............................................................................................................................. 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 6 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 13 2. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK AND STANDARDS .... 14 2.1. Institutional set up of water supply and environmental sectors ..................... 14 2.1.1. Institutional set up of water supply sector ................................................. 14 2.1.2. Institutional set up of environmental protection ........................................ 17 2.2. Policy and Legal Framework ............................................................................... 18 2.2.1 ADB Safeguards Policy ................................................................................ 18 2.2.2 National Environmental Regulatory Framework ......................................
    [Show full text]
  • Politically Motivated Imprisonment in Uzbekistan WATCH
    HUMAN RIGHTS “Until the Very End” Politically Motivated Imprisonment in Uzbekistan WATCH “Until the Very End” Politically Motivated Imprisonment in Uzbekistan Copyright © 2014 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-62313-1951 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org SEPTEMBER 2014 ISBN: 978-1-62313-1951 “Until the Very End” Politically Motivated Imprisonment in Uzbekistan Map of Prisons in Uzbekistan .............................................................................................. i Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Key Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 9 To the Government
    [Show full text]
  • Baseline Survey in Karauzyak District, Karakalpakstan
    Baseline survey in Karauzyak district, Karakalpakstan Final report with description of findings in relation to socio-economic situation in the study area, level of awareness and knowledge concerning alternative agricultural practices; energy sources; water use, attitudes to current land management. Inna Rudenko Botir Dosov 2015 Contents 1. Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Background on Karakalpakstan ............................................................................................................. 4 Location and administrative division......................................................................................................... 4 Demographics ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Economic development ............................................................................................................................. 4 Agricultural production ............................................................................................................................. 5 Land use .................................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 6
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Intergovernmental Relations and Local Governance in the Republic of Uzbekistan
    ASSESSMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Prepared for Prepared by Peter Epstein Matthew Winter With Munira Aminova Andrei Makarikhin Central Asian Republics Local Government Initiative Phase II Clare Romanik United States Agency for International Development Contract No. EEU-I-00-99-00015-00, Task Order No. 811 The Urban Institute February 2004 UI Project 06901-017 THE URBAN INSTITUTE 2100 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 833-7200 www.urban.org ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preparation of this report has drawn on a variety of primary and secondary sources. It could not have been completed without the patient, often surprisingly frank assistance of many experienced Uzbekistanis working both inside and outside of government to whom we are most grateful for their time, information, and insights. Indeed, most information provided in this assessment has been gleaned from interviews with these local observers, though in most cases the authors endeavored to verify each fact at more than one interview. In the body of the assessment, the authors have indicated where specific information is based on interviews with a small number of people. In respect to secondary sources, the chapter on Uzbekistan written by Kuatbay Bektemirov and Eduard Rahimov as a contribution to the Open Society Institute’s Local Governments in Eastern Europe, in the Caucasus and Central Asia: Developing New Rules in the Old Environment served as a valuable point of departure for understanding the complexities of local government in Uzbekistan, which we have sought to elaborate further in this assessment. The present authors’ understanding of the structure of intergovernmental finance in the country benefits from Alex MacNevin’s July and October 2003 reports for Bearing Point on building oblast level revenue capacity and a draft works in progress by the Center for Economic Research in Tashkent.
    [Show full text]
  • Still in the Fields: the Continuing Use
    sitf 009 4/22/09 2:06 PM Page 1 STILLSTILL ININ THETHE FIELDSFIELDS The continuing use of state-sponsored forced child labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields sitf 009 4/22/09 2:06 PM Page 2 © www.un.org STILL IN THE FIELDS The continuing use of state-sponsored forced child labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields CONTENTS Executive summary Introduction Pressure to produce harvest – region by region Hard work, poor health & squalid living conditions… for no pay? Not only children Conclusions Recommendations References Acknowledgements The Environmental Justice Foundation This report was researched, written and produced is a UK-based non-governmental by the Environmental Justice Foundation. organisation. More information about Design Dan Brown ([email protected]) EJF’s work and pdf versions of this report can be found at www.ejfoundation.org. Cover photo © Thomas Grabka Comments on the report, requests for Tel 44 (0) 20 7359 0440 Back cover photos: (top) © EJF; further copies or specific queries about (bottom) © Thomas Grabka [email protected] EJF should be directed to www.ejfoundation.org [email protected]. Printed on % post-consumer waste recycled paper. This document should be cited as: EJF. Still in the fields: the continuing EJF would like to thank all those people and use of state-sponsored forced child labour in organisations who have given their valuable time Uzbekistan’s cotton fields. Environmental and assistance with information and visual Justice Foundation, London, UK. materials used in this report. We in no way imply these people endorse the report or its findings. In ISBN No.
    [Show full text]
  • Uzbekistan 2018 International Religious Freedom Report
    UZBEKISTAN 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution provides for freedom of religion or belief and separation of government and religion. In May the parliament approved a religious freedom “roadmap” to implement all twelve of the recommendations of UN Special Rapporteur on Religion or Belief Ahmed Shaheed. It simplified rules for registering religious organizations and their reporting requirements. The government established a consultative body – the Council of Faiths – as a platform for discussing issues with 17 recognized religious groups. Through presidential pardons, the government released 185 prisoners convicted on religious extremism charges. In September the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of Uzbekistan dismissed Imam Parpiev for diverging from his government-approved sermon. For the first time in eight years, the government registered a church, Svet Miru, run by a Presbyterian religious community in Chirchick, near Tashkent. The Jehovah’s Witnesses reported a significant drop in police harassment of their members: 114 cases compared with 240 in 2017. According to multiple sources, until late in the year, police continued to raid unregistered religious group meetings, detain participating individuals, conduct legal and illegal searches, and seize outlawed religious materials from private residences. One raid was reported following the government’s announcement in December it would halt raids on religious groups. Courts continued to sentence detained individuals to fines and prison; however, for the first time, higher courts overturned some of these sentences. Members of religious groups whose registration applications the government denied remained unable to practice their religious beliefs without risking criminal prosecution. Authorities fined members of some groups, including unregistered Jehovah’s Witnesses, for engaging in collective worship and other religious activities.
    [Show full text]