43 Uzbek kids left abroad are repatriated to Uzbekistan

Last year, 43 children who were left without parental care abroad were brought back to Uzbekistan. Fatima Madrakhimova, head of the information service under the representative of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) on human rights, gave information about this at a briefing held at the Information and Mass Communications Agency (IMCA).

It is noted that during 2022, a total of 696 appeals were received by individuals and legal entities of the Republic of Uzbekistan, by legal representatives in relation to childrens rights and legal interests.  

The appeals were fully reviewed by a Child Rights Representative. 374 appeals were considered in the appropriate order. Including:

• 64 appeals were satisfied;

• 310 appeals were given a legal explanation.

During the study of 29 appeals regarding the right to receive alimony, in 2022, the General Prosecutor's Office ensured that 389.3 million soms of alimony were collected from the parents of 71 foster children.

"Also, there were many group appeals among the cases.  In particular, about 500 appeals were received from parents of children suffering from a serious hereditary disease, phenylketonuria.  As stated in the petition, the lack of special medical food intended for their children endangered their children's health and life.

In order to consider the reasons presented in the application on behalf of the parents, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Prosecutor General's Office, responsible ministries and agencies were addressed by letter, special medical food was delivered to children suffering from phenylketonuria, and special medical food will be provided in the future.  Work is ongoing in relation to any disruption that may occur in the delivery of this food.

Monitoring visits were conducted to 20 institutions in the territory of our republic, in order to ensure the rights of children in closed institutions, where individuals cannot leave at their own will.  Monitoring was conducted in 6 regions including Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, Fergana, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.  About 100 citizens were met during the monitoring.  About 50 citizens were interviewed individually," Fatima Madrakhimova says.

It is noted that a Child Rights Representative is cooperating extensively with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to return children who were left without parental care abroad to Uzbekistan.  In 2022, a total of 43 children were brought back to Uzbekistan: 37 minors from Russia, 4 minors from Kazakhstan, and 2 minors from Turkey.