On October 25th, 2018, the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan, together with UNDP in Uzbekistan, a workshop on the review of international practice and the experience of Uzbekistan regarding the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was held.

The main purpose of the event was to study the significance of the UN Convention against Torture, as well as to get acquainted with foreign experience in implementing the provisions of the Optional Protocol.

Faculty members and students of the Academy of the General Prosecutor's office of the Republic of Uzbekistan attended the seminar training.

An international expert spoke as a lecturer at the event Ilvija Pūсе, Legal Advisor at the Danish Institute Against Torture (Riga).

During the seminar, participants were informed about the experience of Uzbekistan in implementing specific measures aimed at preventing and eradicating torture and other forms of degrading treatment and punishment. In particular, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On additional measures to strengthen the guarantees of the rights and freedoms of citizens in judicial-investigative activities” dated November 30, 2017, according to which torture, physical, psychological pressure and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are strictly prohibited types of treatment of participants in the criminal process or their close relatives, in criminal cases it is strictly prohibited to use any data obtained by unlawful means, in particularly and, audio and video materials, physical evidence.

Participants also highlighted the importance of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the adoption of measures to strengthen the guarantees of citizens' rights and freedoms in judicial and investigative activities” dated April 4, 2018, which provides for increased responsibility for torture.

During the workshop, participants familiarized themselves with the provisions of the UN Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol, the activities of the UN Committee against Torture, models of the National Preventive Mechanism, etc.

Issues related to the mechanism of ratification of the optional Protocol, the terms of the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism and its models, the work of the Subcommittee against torture and the experience of countries that have ratified this document were discussed by the participants of the workshop.

At the end of the training workshop, the participants recommended the implementation of a number of activities to further strengthen measures aimed at preventing torture and creating a National Preventive Mechanism.

Workshop on the “UN Convention against Torture: international practice and experience of Uzbekistan” for faculty members and students of the Academy of the General Prosecutor's office of the Republic of Uzbekistan