108 visits were in institutions for the execution of sentences, 75 in pre-trial detention centers, 39 in temporary detention centers, 21 in special detention centers, 9 in rehabilitation centers, 19 in branches of the Narcological Scientific and Practical Medical Center, 19 in psychiatric hospitals, 7 visits were made to the houses “Sahovat” and “Muruvvat”.

During the visits, collective interviews were conducted with more than 4,500 persons held in places of detention for persons with limited freedom of movement, and individual interviews with 2,605 persons.

During the monitoring visits, the conditions of detention of persons in closed institutions were considered, in particular, the condition and quality of accommodation and food, labor, medical care, ongoing spiritual and educational work, compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as educational activity and other conditions.

Also, during the monitoring visits, anonymous surveys were conducted for the first time of prisoners serving sentences in penitentiary institutions, in particular, in colonies of general, strict and special regime. During the monitoring visits to the pre-trial detention centers of the internal affairs bodies, recommendations were given regarding the identified shortcomings. Currently, work has begun to eliminate them.

In order to eliminate the shortcomings identified during monitoring visits to places of detention of persons with limited freedom of movement, on September 9, 2022, the Ombudsman sent 4 submissions, 3 conclusions and 1 analytical information to the official ministries and departments, 2 analytical information to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, and along with this, together with the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a "Road Map" was developed.

For 9 months of 2022, the Ombudsman received 2,476 appeals from persons held in places of detention of persons with limited freedom of movement, their close relatives and lawyers. This indicator increased by 418 or 16.8% compared to the current period of 2021.

Of these appeals, 612 came through the Ombudsman's Box, 908 through the postal service, 491 through field appointments, 243 through personal appointments, 97 through the Ombudsman's hotline, and 105 electronically.

Of these, 1292 appeals, or 52.2 percent, came directly from convicts and prisoners. This indicates that there are no restrictions on the exercise of their right to appeal.

In 582 complaints, complaints were filed against court verdicts and 443 against actions of inquiry and preliminary investigation.At the same time, in 351 appeals, the applicants ask for mitigation of punishment, early release and / or pardon, 143 appeals regarding the use of psychological, physical or other influence, in 124 appeals - they ask for a meeting with the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), 73 requests for transfer to another institution, 64 for the participation of a responsible officer of the Ombudsman in a court session, 63 for assistance to family members and 32 for medical assistance, and in 34 cases other issues.

Based on the results of consideration of these appeals, in accordance with the appeal of the Ombudsman, mainly on 4 appeals, the punishments imposed by the relevant courts on 14 convicts were replaced with softer ones, and the precautionary measures for 5 prisoners were changed to softer ones.

In connection with the received appeals of convicts on the issue of providing support to their families, the relevant administrations provided various financial and social assistance to family members of 11 convicts. Also, 4 convicts were transferred by the Department for the Execution of Punishments to penitentiary institutions in areas close to their place of residence, on the basis of an appeal from the Authorized Person for Human Rights.

For 9 months of 2022, the Ombudsman received 143 appeals regarding mental, physical and other pressure.

The appeals received were considered by the Ombudsman and sent to the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a corresponding letter for consideration in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The motives set forth in 72 appeals (50.4 percent), according to the results of official checks and investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor's office, were not confirmed.

46 complaints are currently under investigation.

Based on the Ombudsman's letter, the decision to refuse to initiate a criminal case in accordance with Article 83, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan was canceled by the higher prosecutor's office on 14 complaints, and it was also decided to conduct pre-investigation checks.Based on the results of internal checks conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the responsible authorities, 11 employees were brought to disciplinary responsibility, the employment contract was terminated with 1 employee, and according to the pre-investigation check conducted by the prosecutor's office, the disciplinary measure applied to 1 prisoner at his request was declared illegal and canceled.

Also, according to 1 of these appeals, an employee of the internal affairs bodies was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 1 of Art. 104 (Intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm) and Part 1 of Art. 2301 (Falsification (fake) of evidence) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison.

Based on the results of the monitoring visits, proposals were prepared and sent to the Parliament and relevant state bodies to further improve the activities of places of detention for persons with limited freedom of movement, as well as to ensure the rights and freedoms of persons held there, and to prevent cases of torture.

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