Members of the Public Group under the Ombudsman for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment also participated in the monitoring visits.

On 17 September, Settlement Colony No. 33 in Mubarak District, Penal Colony No. 10 in Koson District, the Temporary Detention Facility of the Koson District Department of Internal Affairs, and Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 5 in Karshi were examined.

The monitoring on 18 September began at Settlement Colony No. 35 in Karshi. On the same day, conditions at Penal Colonies No. 3 and No. 2 in Karshi, as well as at the Kashkadarya Regional Branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Centre for Mental Health for Psychiatric Services, were examined.

During the visits, the living and food conditions of persons held in the institutions, their access to medical care, engagement in labour, the provision of their rights to visits with relatives and telephone communication, sanitary and hygienic conditions, as well as the functioning of video surveillance equipment were examined.

The “Ombudsman Boxes” installed in these institutions were also inspected. In addition, collective and individual mobile receptions were held with persons accommodated in the institutions, without the presence of institution staff, and their appeals were accepted for consideration.

At Penal Colonies No. 2 and No. 3, the work being carried out within the framework of the “Second Chance” project, launched at the initiative of the Head of State, was also examined. In these institutions, convicts under the age of 30 are being taught information technology and English. The project is aimed at helping young people acquire modern professions and foreign-language skills, find employment after release, and adapt to social life. In addition, the “Zakovat” intellectual game was held among convicts at these institutions.

During the monitoring, it was established that the Temporary Detention Facility of the Koson District Department of Internal Affairs lacked washing facilities, that living conditions in the cells were unsatisfactory, and that the cells were not provided with the prescribed equipment.

In addition, taking into account the number of convicts held at Penal Colony No. 10, the need to increase the number of rooms for long-term visits with relatives was noted.

Based on the results of the monitoring, proposals and recommendations will be submitted to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis. Documents in the form of Ombudsman response measures will be submitted to the relevant organisations to address the identified shortcomings and ensure adequate conditions for persons held in these institutions.

It should be noted that, in accordance with a recommendation previously issued by the Ombudsman, major repairs and reconstruction of the building of the Temporary Detention Facility in Karshi are planned. For this purpose, the Ministry of Internal Affairs approved the relevant programme in 2026, under which UZS 2 billion 376 million is to be allocated.

Press Service of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)