Uzbekistan Enacts Legislation to Enhance Prisoners’ Rights
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan recently signed a new law aimed at expanding the rights of prisoners in the country. The amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code are designed to ensure that prisoners are treated humanely and have access to organizations that protect human rights.
The changes made to the law now guarantee that prisoners have the right to be treated with respect for their honor and dignity. They are also allowed to contact the Ombudsman, Children’s Ombudsman, and international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms.
One significant change is that prisoners serving sentences for serious and especially serious crimes now have the right to participate in elections and referendums. This was not previously guaranteed by the legislation.
If all domestic remedies have been exhausted, prisoners have the right to appeal to international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms. This aligns with Uzbekistan’s legislation and international treaties.
The law also specifies that prisoners have the right to humane treatment and respect in accordance with the updated Constitution. Employees of correctional institutions are required to treat prisoners humanely and follow the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code when applying disciplinary and coercive measures.
A key provision of the law is the prohibition of conducting medical and scientific experiments on prisoners without their consent. This is a crucial step in ensuring the rights and well-being of prisoners.
Additionally, prisoners now have the opportunity to communicate with the Ombudsman and Children’s Ombudsman through a designated complaint box. This helps regulate the process of submitting and addressing complaints from prisoners.
Overall, these amendments are a significant step towards protecting the rights and legal interests of prisoners in Uzbekistan and aligning them with international standards.
