A/HRC/10/83 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its third session from 1 to 15 December 2008. The review of Uzbekistan was held at the 15th meeting, on 11 December 2008. The delegation of Uzbekistan was headed by H.E. Dr. Akmal SAIDOV, Chairman of the National Centre for Human Rights (level of Minister), Head of Delegation. At its meeting on 15 December 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Uzbekistan. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Uzbekistan: Egypt, Indonesia and Nicaragua. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Uzbekistan: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/UZB/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/UZB/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/UZB/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Latvia and the United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland were transmitted to Uzbekistan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 15th meeting, on 11 December, the Head of Delegation of Uzbekistan, H. E. Dr. Akmal Saidov, Chairman of the National Centre for Human Rights (level of Minister) and Head of Delegation, in referring to the national report, mentioned two annexes from Uzbekistan that are posted on the OHCHR portal. He stated that Uzbekistan had taken steps to protect and promote human rights in 2008, such as the abolition of the death penalty in January and the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The introduction of habeas corpus was subsequently implemented in practice, as was the entry into force of the constitutional law on the role of political parties. 6. The protection of the rights of the child is a priority of state policy. The State declared 2008 the year of youth, since 40 per cent of the population of Uzbekistan is under 18 years of age and 64 per cent is under 30. The law on guarantees of children’s rights is in effect and Parliament has ratified ILO Conventions 138 and 182. The national plan of action on the implementation of these conventions includes measures to improve the legal framework and monitor the implementation of international obligations. Both Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child have been ratified.