Uzbekistan and Finland Collaborate on Child Protection Issues in Online Forum
An online meeting on February 28, 2024, organized by PCUz, allowed the Children’s Ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Finland to share insights on child protection. Surayyo Rakhmonova highlighted new legislation in Uzbekistan, while Elina Pekkarinen explained the Finnish office’s role in monitoring children’s rights. The meeting followed a previous study visit to Finland and included discussions on inter-agency cooperation and adherence to international guidelines.
On February 28, 2024, the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) hosted an online meeting between the Children’s Ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Finland. The discussions aimed to share experiences and explore avenues for further collaboration on child protection issues. Surayyo Rakhmonova, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Uzbekistan, highlighted the recently implemented law, “On Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence,” which aims to create a protective framework for children against violence, ensuring their well-being and that of their families.
Ambassador Antti Karttunen, the Head of the PCUz Office, stated, “This meeting is an important follow-up to a PCUz-organized study visit to Finland from 11 to 13 December 2024…” During this visit, the Uzbek delegation engaged with Finnish officials and NGOs to exchange best practices regarding the prevention of sexual crimes against minors. Elina Pekkarinen, the Finnish Ombudsman for Children, elaborated on her office’s key functions, including effective communication with children, youth monitoring, and safeguarding their rights.
The session also focused on the Ombudsman’s collaboration with government agencies and NGOs in the sphere of children’s rights. Furthermore, mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were examined. The meeting concluded with discussions on successful inter-agency cooperation and effective responses to violations of child rights.
The online meeting facilitated by PCUz exemplifies an important step towards enhancing child protection strategies through international cooperation. It provided a platform for sharing valuable insights and best practices between Uzbekistan and Finland, with a focus on safeguarding children’s rights and well-being. The discussions emphasized actionable strategies and frameworks that can be adopted to further strengthen child protection mechanisms.
Original Source: www.osce.org
