UNICEF AND POST-CRC REFORMS IN UZBEKISTAN, 1994–2025: LAW, INSTITUTIONS, AND PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Abstract

This article analyzes the legal and institutional evolution of child rights in Uzbekistan since the country’s accession to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on 29 June 1994 (entry into force: 29 July 1994). It examines incorporation of CRC principles into the national legal order, thematic reforms (protection from violence, education, inclusion of children with disabilities, social protection), and the development of institutions such as the Children’s Ombudsperson and the National Agency for Social Protection. It also considers the role of the CRC Committee’s concluding observations and UNICEF’s Situation Analysis (SitAn) as evidence inputs. While a foundational legal framework has been established, continued progress is needed on prevention of violence, data quality, and integration of multisector services.