Special Bodies for the Protection of Children's Rights in Central Asian Countries: a Comparative Legal Analysis

This article is a comparative legal analysis of the institutional mechanisms for the protection of children's rights in the countries of Central Asia (the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan). The focus is on specialized bodies operating in the field of protecting children's rights and interests: children's ombudsmen, national human rights institutions, and government bodies responsible for implementing child policy.The study aims to identify the difference sandsimilarities of the sespecial bodies, their powers, and their degree of independence and effectiveness. As a result of the comparative analysis of institutional mechanisms for the protection of children's rights in these countries, general trends and specific differences werei dentified, and the most effective practices were determined.The study covered aspects such as the legal status, powers, functions, and structure of children's ombudsmen, relevant ministries and agencies, and commissions for juvenile affairs. Differences were identified regarding its independence, as well as similarities, such as the widespread implementation of the Ombudsman for Children.