On December 17, 2025, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani participated in a conference organized by the Parliamentary Temporary Commission on Women and Children’s Issues. The topics discussed at the conference included achievements, challenges and future prospects at the level of preschool, inclusive and general education.

In his speech, the Public Defender focused on the importance of access to education and issues of coordinated work, which implies the involvement of both teachers and professional groups, as well as parents, in the process.

“Despite the steps taken, there are still many serious challenges in the field, which the Public Defender has identified within the framework of his activities.

In the field of preschool education, the shortage of inclusive education specialists in the regions is particularly noteworthy. It is also necessary to raise the awareness of employed personnel, improve accessibility of kindergarten infrastructure for children with various disabilities, and effectively monitor inclusive preschool education at the local level. It is important to properly identify children with special educational needs, who are left beyond preschool education, in all municipalities and refer them to appropriate services.

As for general education, it is important to use modern assistive technologies, alternative and augmentative communication tools in the teaching process of students with special educational needs, and strengthen individualized support services. It is necessary to strengthen professional supervision, coordination of the inclusive education process, and internal monitoring in schools. Coordinated work among members of education plan groups and increased involvement of parents of children with disabilities in this process represents a challenge”,” said Public Defender Levan Ioseliani.

Within the framework of the visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Oliy Majlis (Ombudsman) to the Russian Federation in October of this year, a mobile reception for citizens was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow with the participation of the ombudsmen of both countries, aimed at studying issues faced by compatriots.

During the mobile reception, appeals were also received from 31 Uzbek students studying at the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” (HSE) located in the Russian Federation. It was found that the university administration had failed to timely inform the authorized bodies about the extension of students’ migration registration. As a result, the students remained in the territory of the Russian Federation for more than 90 days and were assessed as having violated migration regulations. According to the students, they were required to pay an administrative fine in the amount of 40,000 rubles.

The situation was taken under control by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, and an inspection was conducted in cooperation with the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Following the review, a decision was made to extend the period of temporary stay for foreign students. In addition, territorial internal affairs bodies were instructed, as an exception, not to apply administrative penalties such as fines or administrative expulsion from the territory of the Russian Federation to these students.

Most importantly, had this issue not been resolved in a timely manner, the students could have been administratively expelled from the territory of the Russian Federation.

As a result of this intervention, the issues of not only Uzbek students but also more than 200 students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Belarus studying in Russia were positively resolved.

In a letter addressed to the ombudsman, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation informed that the issue raised by the students had been resolved positively and noted that cooperation between ombudsmen is yielding practical results in the protection of human rights.

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, has participated in the implementation process of the Amnesty Act initiated by President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan. As part of the implementation of the Amnesty Act, the Ombudsman visited Penitentiary Institution No. 4 and Correctional Facility for Juveniles under the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.

In her speech, the Ombudsman stated that one of the key directions of the legal reforms implemented by National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the field of protecting human rights and freedoms was the humanization of penal policy. She noted that these reforms are currently being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev, and that the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, also carries out extensive activities in this area. She emphasized that the application of the principles of humanism, mercy, and an individual approach in penal policy constitutes an important component of this policy in the country. The Ombudsman further highlighted that the institutions of pardon and amnesty serve as legal mechanisms for these principles, contributing to the strengthening of the rehabilitative nature of punishment and facilitating the reintegration of convicted persons into society as reformed individuals.

The Ombudsman congratulated the individuals covered by the amnesty act and their family members, emphasizing the importance of the social adaptation and reintegration into society of those released from penitentiary institutions, and called on them to make use of the opportunities provided.

In conclusion, the Ombudsman once again expressed her gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the initiative to declare the amnesty.

Later, Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva gave an interview to media representatives.
On the Ombudsman’s instruction, staff of the Office also took part in the implementation of the amnesty act at other penitentiary institutions.

It should be noted that the Amnesty Act submitted to the Parliament by the President is expected to apply to more than 20,000 people in total. Of these, more than 5,000 convicted persons are expected to be released from imprisonment; the sentences of more than 3,000 persons sentenced to imprisonment will be reduced; over 7,000 convicted persons will be released from the penalty of restriction of liberty; nearly 4,000 convicted will be released from other penalties not related to deprivation of liberty or from conditionally imposed sentences; and more than 1,000 individuals are expected to be released from criminal liability.

On December 24-25, 2025, the Consultative Council of the Public Defender of Georgia for the Monitoring of the Promotion, Protection and Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held its 40^th meeting.

At the opening of the meeting, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani spoke about the importance of the issues on the agenda, including the amendments to be made to the Council’s Statute.

The meeting presented information on the activities carried out in the past period within the framework of monitoring the promotion, protection and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Members of the Council spoke about the lack of targeted services for persons with disabilities and challenges related to the quality of existing services. Special attention was paid to the process of launching the personal assistant service for persons with disabilities and the associated difficulties, as well as the importance of accessibility as a key principle of the Convention and the implementation of the right, and the necessity of monitoring.

The meeting discussed the planned amendments to the Statute of the Consultative Council for the Monitoring of Promotion, Protection and Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The draft amendments were prepared to bring the Statute closer to the principles of the Convention and were submitted to the visiting members of the Council for their opinions.

During the discussion held within the framework of the meeting, the positions of the visiting members of the Council were heard on the amendments to be made to individual articles. The participants of the meeting agreed that the opinions expressed would be reflected in the amendments and would be discussed at the next meeting of the Council.

The event was held with the funding of the European Union project – “Support to the Public Defender’s Office”.

According to the Public Relations Office of the General Inspection Organization (GIO), the National Festival for Promoting Transparency and Eliminating Conflicts of Interest a nationwide event focused on transparency, accountability and reducing conditions that enable conflicts of interest was held today with senior officials in attendance. The festival’s principal aims are to strengthen public trust and to support sound governance.

The festival evaluated and ranked executive bodies in two areas — enhancing transparency and managing conflicts of interest — and honored top performers. Beyond these operational goals, the initiative emphasizes sustainable administrative integrity and the cultivation of a culture of accountability. Organized in line with the Supreme Leader’s guidance and structured around four pillars — policy, prevention, oversight and anti-corruption action — the festival is also supported by the Head of the Judiciary’s directives and the Transformation and Excellence framework.

A homegrown measurement model

A principal achievement is the development of the country’s first indigenous model for measuring transparency and managing conflicts of interest. Prepared in cooperation with academic centers including Jahad-e Daneshgahi, the model was developed through more than 30 expert sessions and roughly 3,000 hours of research. It draws on five legal categories (supreme documents, information-transparency laws, financial/economic transparency, contract/procurement transparency, and laws related to citizens’ rights) and comprises 12 macro-dimensions and 53 core indicators.

Scope, methodology and resources

In this cycle 254 entities from the three branches were assessed: 161 national and 93 provincial bodies. Approximately 570 GIO inspectors participated across a 70-day assessment period. The process involved 70 academic specialists and 560 representatives of executive agencies for data submission, verification and adjudication. Seven technical working groups met in over 500 sessions to finalize evaluations.

The evaluation reviewed 350 provisions from relevant policies, laws and regulations and used a 258-question instrument covering issues such as regulator/operator overlap, gift practices, and statutory data disclosures. The program provided about 5,920 person-hours of training for assessment officials. A dedicated platform enabled institutional self-reporting, followed by field verification and extensive joint meetings, ultimately identifying three national and three provincial top performers.

From festival to a permanent system

GIO views the festival not as a one-off event but as the first step toward a sustainable Administrative Integrity Measurement System and the annual issuance of Administrative Integrity Report Cards for agencies. Annual evaluation of transparency and conflict-of-interest management is intended to drive continuous improvement and to embed transparency and accountability in managerial culture. The festival emphasizes indicators and data over rhetoric.

Under Article 174 of the Constitution, GIO is mandated to supervise the proper conduct of affairs and the correct implementation of laws. Even where specific transparency laws are lacking, GIO considers disclosure of collective interests within its remit. Collaboration with academics and experts has strengthened the scientific basis and effectiveness of the festival’s outcomes.

Key statements and policy emphasis

Dr. Khodaeiyan, President of GIO — opening the festival, Dr. Khodaeiyan commemorated the martyrs and congratulated on the anniversary of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (S). He defined the festival’s purpose as promoting transparency and eliminating conflicts of interest, describing transparency as clear, precise and comprehensible public access to the data and decisions of executive, judicial and other governance bodies especially for matters affecting citizens’ lives.

He explained that conflicts of interest occur when organizational interests clash with personal or factional interests, and that transparency makes such situations identifiable, thereby reducing opportunities for misuse. Over the past eight months, GIO assessed 254 bodies, reviewed 350 legal provisions, and applied a 258-question evaluation tool. The program combined training, a self-declaration platform, field verification and more than 500 joint meetings with agency representatives.

Dr. Khodaeiyan stressed prevention as the priority in anti-corruption work: “Corruption happens in darkness. Where transparency and conflict-of-interest mitigation exist, potential wrongdoers are exposed and the opportunity for misconduct is removed.” He referenced the Law on Publication and Free Access to Information, the Administrative Integrity Promotion Act, and the Transparency of the Three Branches Act, noting that agencies are required to publish officials’ names, qualifications, appointments, records, expenses, incomes, contracts and governing documents. He added that failure to upload required information is punishable under the transparency law (penalty: degree 6) and observed that the three-month legal deadline for disclosures (set in 1403) has passed; his remarks were made at the end of 1404. He closed by thanking participating institutions.

Mohammad-Reza Aref, First Vice President of the Republic praised the festival as a valuable and creative initiative that can advance administrative integrity and public trust. He highlighted inter-branch coordination and shared responsibility, warning that small unchecked corrupt practices can spread and stressing that persistent programs are needed to root out corruption. He welcomed the participation of 254 executive bodies as evidence of broad acceptance.

Ali Nikzad, Deputy Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly described transparency as a practical, cost-effective anti-corruption tool. He cited parliamentary measures to publish major bank loans and debtors’ names on the Central Bank website as an example that helped resolve significant non-performing claims. Nikzad emphasized that transparency reduces the cost of prevention versus punitive action, improves policymaking by exposing decisions to expert and public scrutiny, and requires standardized, analyzable, timely and usable data rather than large unprocessed dumps. He noted that transparent contract records can enable analytical tools including AI to detect procurement patterns and offer solutions.

Hojjat-ul-Islam wal-Muslimeen Khalili, First Deputy of the Judiciary underscored the need for the three branches to act together to secure citizens’ livelihoods. He described the Transparency Law as a unifying instrument that fosters national cohesion and reduces corruption across layers of governance. Khalili urged resolute implementation of the law, framed transparency as both a public right and a managerial duty, and noted that GIO has issued 5,500 warnings to managers — a measure intended to support responsible managers. He affirmed that GIO has achieved meaningful results during four years of structural reforms and encouraged managers to use the judiciary’s supportive stance to address organized corruption and close systemic loopholes.

Awards

Top national agencies honored for transparency and administrative integrity:

• Farzaneh Ansari — Head, National Standards Organization
• Hamid Benaian — CEO, Post Bank of Iran
• Alireza Ashouri — Head, Research Institute for Industrial and Scientific Studies

Provincial awardees:

• Hamid Ghasemi — Mayor of Semnan
• Mohammad Ashouri Taziani — Governor of Hormozgan Province
• Abolqasem Mohyeddini — Mayor of Yazd

The festival was presented as the country’s first scientifically grounded national step to measure transparency and eliminate conflicts of interest across state institutions — a product of close cooperation among the three branches and executive agencies in which indicators and data, rather than slogans, form the basis of evaluation.

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab took proactive measures to address public complaints related to deteriorating civic infrastructure across the province. Acting on grievances received from multiple districts, the Ombudsman Punjab directed the concerned departments to undertake immediate corrective actions to restore essential public amenities.

The interventions covered the repair of damaged roads, restoration of malfunctioning street lights, cleaning and reconstruction of drainage systems, addressing uncovered water supply points, and improving waste management practices. These measures were aimed at resolving long-standing civic issues that posed risks to public safety, sanitation, and daily mobility.

An expenditure of approximately Rs. 97.2 million was incurred to bring civic amenities up to acceptable standards. The improvements resulted in safer, well-lit public spaces, enhanced pedestrian movement, improved sanitation, and a better quality of life for citizens, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

– The ACRC will conduct a three-day anti-corruption training program in Kazakhstan from November 25 to 27, 2025, to disseminate Korea’s flagship anti-corruption systems, including the Comprehensive Integrity Assessment of Public Institutions (CIA) and the whistleblower protection system.

(25, November. 2025, ACRC)

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) announced that it will share Korea’s flagship anti-corruption systems the Comprehensive Integrity Assessment of Public Institutions (CIA) and the whistleblower protection system with Kazakhstan directly.

From November 25 to 27, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Training Institute (ACTI) under the ACRC visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and Almaty, one of the country’s major cities, and ran a training course on institutional improvements in corruption prevention for around 100 participants. Participants included officials from the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and the Anti-Corruption Service of the National Security Committee, as well as other anti-corruption-related agencies, along with compliance officers from public institutions and public enterprises.

This program was carried out as part of the ACRC’s official development assistance (ODA) projects. As a follow-up to the invitation training program hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan in June 2025, it was designed to support the effective introduction of Korea’s anti-corruption systems in Kazakhstan, including the Comprehensive Integrity Assessment of Public Institutions (CIA).

The Republic of Korea is the only country in the world to have achieved both democracy and economic development in tandem. It is regarded as a model country, as reflected in its steady upward trend in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Accordingly, requests for training from countries seeking to learn Korea’s anti-corruption policies and implementation experience have continued to increase.

In particular, the Comprehensive Integrity Assessment of Public Institutions (CIA) first introduced by the Republic of Korea in 2002 as the world’s first system of its kind won the 1st prize in the category of “Preventing and Combating Corruption in the Public Service” at the 2012 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA), and has been shared with about ten countries, including Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Algeria.

In addition, Korea’s protection system for corruption reporters and public interest whistleblowers has been internationally recognized for its excellence, including being featured in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s 2015 “Resource Guide on Good Practices in the Protection of Reporting Persons.”

Kim Se-shin, Director of the ACRC’s Anti-Corruption Training Institute, said, “Given that Kazakhstan is the Republic of Korea’s largest trading partner among Central Asian countries and a key partner for cooperation in Central Asia, we will further expand cooperation and exchanges in the field of anti-corruption.”

He added, “We will continue to disseminate K-anti-corruption policies throughout the international community, take the lead in advancing democracy worldwide, and further enhance the Republic of Korea’s international standing.”

The Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) received a complaint regarding the failure to provide statutory monthly payments to two employees who had sustained occupational injuries.

The complaint was taken under the Ombudsman’s supervision and examined on site by the Ombudsman’s regional representative in Tashkent region. The inquiry revealed that a private enterprise had failed, since August 2024, to pay the legally prescribed compensation to two citizens who had suffered occupational injuries in 1997 and 1999.

In accordance with Article 322 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cases where damage is caused to an employee’s health, the employer is obliged to make monthly payments as compensation for lost wages.

Based on the above, the Ombudsman filed lawsuits in the interests of the citizens with the Yangiyul Inter-District Civil Court.

The court upheld the Ombudsman’s claims and ruled that nearly UZS 35 million be recovered in favor of the two applicants.

Upon follow-up with the citizens, it was confirmed that the court decisions had been fully enforced and the awarded funds had been collected in full.

A delegation led by the Commissioner Against Corruption, Ao Ieong Seong, as members of the Chinese delegation, attended the 11^th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Doha, Qatar, on 15^th December. The head of the Chinese delegation, Vice Foreign Minister, Hua Chunying, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

In her speech Hua Chunying called on all States Parties to faithfully and in good faith fulfil their obligations under the UNCAC and promote the construction of a more just and equitable global anti-corruption governance system. Representatives attending the conference also called on all countries to uphold the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, make good use of emerging technologies and promote cooperation between the public and private sectors. This conference, with the theme of “Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, was attended by around 2,500 representatives, of which over 60 attendees were ministerial officials. Important agendas included exploration of the roles of artificial intelligence on prevention and suppression of corruption and enhancement of integrity awareness of children and young people, among others.

During the conference, the Chinese delegation spoke on international cooperation and asset recovery, pointing out that the Macao SAR hosted the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Assessor Training Workshop in May with the participation of representatives from different jurisdictions, thus building a stronger financial defence for regional and global anti-corruption efforts.

In Doha, Ao Ieong Seong also participated in two meetings hosted by international organisations, including the 11^th Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) where there was a joint discussion with other members on the future development directions and anti-corruption strategies and the 15^th General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) where there were exchange and discussion on making good use of scientific technology to combat corrupt acts.

The CCAC believed that the visit to Doha facilitates it in strengthening the exchange and cooperation with global anti-corruption enforcement authorities in order to, through the sharing and exploration of innovative strategies, respond to increasingly sophisticated corrupt acts and challenges brought by other economic and financial crimes jointly. Other delegates of the CCAC who paid visits with Ao Ieong Seong included Advisor, Kuok Sio Man and personnel from relevant areas.

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, spoke at the Second Forum of Azerbaijani Religious Figures titled “Constitutional principles of state-religion relations in Azerbaijan: secularism and freedom of conscience.”

Delivering the opening speech, the Ombudsman noted our country is recognized as a place where representatives of different nations and confessions coexist in peace, tranquility and mutual understanding.

The Ombudsman emphasized that the grassroots of state and religion relations are enshrined at the constitutional level in Azerbaijan, all religions are equal before the law, and that every person is entitled to freedom of conscience under the constitution of the country.

Recalling the fifth anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War, marked in the present year, Sabina Aliyeva stated that during three decades of occupation of our lands, religious sites and cemeteries belonging to Azerbaijanis, along with other infrastructure have been destroyed and desecrated. In addition, these areas have been heavily contaminated with landmines.

Sabina Aliyeva said that reports providing facts about vandalism against mosques, religious sites, and cemeteries have been prepared and brought to the attention of the global community, including different religious associations and confessions, by the Ombudsman. She further stated that great attention is currently being paid by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to the reconstruction and reopening of destroyed mosques and other religious monuments. The Ombudsman, at the same time, stressed the special role that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays in the endorsement of humanitarian initiatives at the global level and the construction of religious monuments.