OSCE Supports Study of International Practices in Prison Monitoring Visits

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the International Center for Development and Justice, held a two-day training focused on monitoring in places of detention.

The training aimed to provide participants with a clear understanding of the role and objectives of monitoring visits in preventing torture and identifying human rights violations, as well as to study international best practices in planning and conducting such visits.

Participants included staff from the Ombudsman’s Office, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and civil society institutions.

During the two-day training, which included interactive sessions, participants learned effective methods for planning and carrying out monitoring visits, collecting and analyzing evidence, and conducting interviews with penitentiary administration and detained individuals. Special attention was given to preparing reports in accordance with international standards, formulating practical recommendations, and ensuring their implementation.

The event also introduced a methodology designed for application during monitoring visits to closed institutions. Practical exercises and group discussions facilitated a deeper understanding of best practices for planning and conducting future monitoring visits.

The training represents a logical continuation of the long-standing partnership between the OSCE and the Ombudsman’s Office in Uzbekistan, ongoing since 2006. The collaboration aims to strengthen capacity in prison monitoring and to develop comprehensive approaches in this field.