“The advancement of the rule of law and human rights is a key priority of Dutch foreign policy, as the Netherlands is proud of its historical role in the development of international law”.
Next-Gen Advocates: Human Rights Contest Begins in Uzbekistan
The National Center for Human Rights, in cooperation with the Centre for Development and Justice International (CDJI), and with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Uzbekistan, has officially launched the Human Rights Education Program in Uzbekistan “Capstone Project”.
The Capstone Project is an innovative educational initiative aimed at enhancing the learning process through the integration of contemporary research methodologies. Introduced in Uzbekistan for the first time, the initiative draws on the widely recognized capstone project model used across the international academic community and represents a significant step forward in advancing higher education practices in the country. Structured as a human rights research project competition, the program provides participants with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, research-driven challenges in the field of human rights.
13 April 2026, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Over the past month, students from three leading institutions − Tashkent State University of Law, the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan − have taken part in a highly competitive selection process. This rigorous evaluation was conducted to identify and select the most promising candidates for participation in the project. Participants will now collaborate in teams of three to conduct in-depth research on human rights issues of relevance to Uzbekistan. Through this work, they will contribute to both academic discourse and practical policy development within the national context.
Emphasizing the relevance of the initiative in the context of ongoing national transformations, the Deputy Director of the National Centre for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mrs. Dilnoza Muratova, underscored the importance of the Capstone Project in strengthening legal education and research capacity, stating that:
“Uzbekistan is undergoing profound transformation, increasing the need for strong legal scholarship and specialists who can critically interpret law, propose reforms, and apply international experience. The Capstone Project provides an environment where young researchers develop systemic thinking, work with sources, and produce practice-oriented legal research”.
“The Capstone Project is the result of collaboration among many organizations and individuals who believe in the power of youth to create change, and who have come together to support their growth, ideas, and impact”
In their research activities, project participants will receive academic guidance from professors at Tilburg University in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As noted by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Nico Schermers:
The Ambassador further noted that the Capstone Project, by contributing to human rights education in Uzbekistan, builds bridges between academia and practice, between national institutions and international expertise, and between Uzbekistan and the Netherlands. This spirit of collaboration is further reflected in the engagement of implementing partners supporting the initiative’s broader educational and developmental goals.
The CDJI Head of Programmes, Ms. Anel Tleukesh, stated:
As part of the Capstone Project competition, the research findings may serve as a foundation for future regulatory reforms, policy development, and strategic initiatives in the field of human rights in Uzbekistan, as well as for proposals to improve national frameworks in penal law, criminal procedure, and international law. Participation in the competition will provide the opportunity to interact with international professors and experts, acquire skills that will prepare students for modern career demands, and win an educational trip to the Netherlands.
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