Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the fifty-second plenary meeting of the Senate, the Law “On introducing amendments and additions to the Criminal Executive Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at ensuring the rights and legitimate interests of convicts” was considered.

It was noted that the reforms carried out in the country are being implemented in all layers of our society. Some work is being done to ensure the rule of law and strengthen the rule of law. The priority of human dignity, humanism and justice have become the main idea of our reforms.

Thanks to the constitutional reform, measures are also being taken to ensure the rights and freedoms of convicted persons and respect for their honor and dignity. Thus, amendments and additions are being made to the Criminal Executive Code, providing for the consolidation of the rights of convicted persons to humane treatment, respect for their honor and dignity, appeal to the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Children’s Rights (Children’s Ombudsman) and international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms.

In addition, the right to participate in elections and referendums is guaranteed for convicts held in places of deprivation of liberty for committing grave and especially grave crimes.

Thus, the right of such convicted persons is provided for to apply to international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms in accordance with the legislation and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, if all available domestic remedies have been exhausted.

It is also established that convicts held in places of deprivation of liberty for committing grave and especially grave crimes have the right to participate in relevant elections and referendums, unless they are deprived of this right in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court verdict. The right of convicts to humane treatment is secured.

In particular, according to the amendments being made, convicts have the right to humane treatment and respect for the honor and dignity inherent in the human person.

Employees of penitentiary institutions are obliged to treat prisoners humanely. When applying disciplinary measures and other coercive measures to convicted persons, deviations from the grounds and procedure established by this Code are not allowed.

It is strictly established that convicts cannot be subjected to medical and scientific experiments without their consent. In addition, the new norm determines the procedure for convicts to contact the Ombudsman and the Children’s Ombudsman through the appeal box, establishing, opening, using, and sending appeals through it.

During the discussion, the senators emphasized that the adoption of the Law will serve to ensure more reliable protection of the rights and legitimate interests of convicts, as well as the harmonization of penal legislation with the principles and norms of international law.

Following the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators.