Liberalization of the judicial, legal and penitentiary systems discussed

18.07.2020

On July 17, at the initiative of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and Yuksalish Nationwide Movement, an international virtual conference was held on “Liberalization of the judicial, legal and penitentiary system: National and international experience”.

The event, timed to coincide with Nelson Mandela International Day, was held jointly with the UN Country Office, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the Regional Office of Penal Reform International in Central Asia.

The conference was attended by commissioners for human rights of the Central Asian countries, international and national experts, deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of state bodies, civil society, as well as international organizations accredited in the country.

At the conference, the measures taken to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, strengthen the guarantees of human rights and freedoms, increase parliamentary and public control over the implementation of the requirements and norms of the legislation in implementation of judicial and investigative measures, as well as ongoing reforms in the light of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on pardoning persons, serving a sentence of imprisonment, were noted. An important event was the adoption of the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights, approved by the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in June this year.

Ombudsmen of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic delivered speeches on the experience of liberalizing the judicial, legal and penitentiary systems in their countries.

Following the conference, recommendations were developed on liberalization of the judicial, legal and penitentiary systems, strengthening the independence of lawyers. 

International and national experts agreed to continue constructive cooperation, exchange experience and best practices on improving judicial and law enforcement practice in ensuring human rights and freedoms.