A/HRC/10/83 Page 4 7. Uzbekistan addressed the issue of law enforcement and the independence of the judiciary. To enhance the status and role of the defence lawyers as an independent civil society institution, the bar chamber was created in September 2008 along with measures to improve it. 8. Uzbekistan also addressed the issue of trafficking in persons and mentioned the law on combating trafficking in persons and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. A decree on the establishment of the national rehabilitation centre to assist and protect of victims of trafficking in persons was adopted, together with the national plan of action on combating trafficking in persons for the period 2008-2010. 9. Uzbekistan mentioned how State policy in the field of human rights affects the legislation system, for example through the adoption of over 15 codes and more than 400 laws regulating fundamental rights and freedoms, and that all provisions of the international human rights treaties have been implemented in the Constitution and national legislation. 10. On human rights education, Uzbekistan mentioned that textbooks and manuals and a training course on human rights were published and introduced at all schools and universities. An advanced training programme for law enforcement officials covers human rights. Also, a national programme for refining the legal culture of society is being implemented. In the framework of the United Nations worldwide campaign on public information on human rights, wide human rights information and education activities are being carried out. More than 110 basic international legal documents on human rights have been published. A sixtieth anniversary edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been published in Uzbek. Over 20 newspapers and magazines on human rights are published. 11. Regarding civil society institutions, the delegation stated that the Government encourages the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including those active in human rights, and that the policy of social partnership and the principle of transition from a strong State to a strong civil society are being implemented. It noted that NGOs provide strong support for the development of civil society and rule of law, by working in areas such as education, care for children and women, people with disabilities or suffering from illnesses and people requiring social help. 12. The delegation noted activities by mass media that form democratic and legal values among the population. There are more than 1,000 non-state newspapers, magazines and 42 television and radio companies, four news agencies and websites in Uzbekistan. 13. With regard to the implementation of its international human rights obligations, Uzbekistan expressed that its policy is accomplished through basic principles and measures developed by the United Nations. It has established close relations with Charter and treaty bodies, with special procedures of the United Nations, and has institutionalized dialogues with the European Union. As State party to more than 70 international documents on human rights, including 6 core United Nations treaties, Uzbekistan has provided 22 national reports to the treaty bodies, of which 18 have already been considered. Ten national plans of action on the implementation of the recommendations of treaty bodies are being implemented. 14. However, Uzbekistan noted certain objective problems connected with the process of transformation from the command-administrative system of governance and planned economy to