THE ROLE OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEMS: A THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ANALYSIS BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This study is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the place of children’s rights in the international and national legal system using the example of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is determined that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 is a universal normative base, and its implementation into national legal systems is a key task. Despite the significant legal reforms implemented in our country in the field of children’s rights protection and significant progress made in improving the legal framework, it has been revealed that systemic problems persist in the implementation of current legislation and its practical application. In particular, the insufficient provision of mechanisms guaranteeing children’s access to justice and judicial protection and the weakness of legal protection measures against new threats arising in the era of digital technologies, particularly cyberbullying and online violence, as well as the declarative nature of children’s rights in practice, have been investigated. The article highlights the need to develop national mechanisms that ensure the effective implementation of children’s rights and also develops several proposals and recommendations for aligning the ongoing reforms in this area with international obligations, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other relevant international standards.