The state is obliged to “prevent” the possibility of negative phenomena in closed institutions, and therefore, the monitoring role within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) is important for it.

This was noted by expert Victor Zaharia at the beginning of the second day of the training “Monitoring of closed institutions and places of detention”, held on September 4. Within the framework of the 4th session, Mr. Zaharia presented international standards and foreign practice of monitoring prisons, including the prevention of torture.

The importance of the monitoring mechanism of the penal system was emphasized as a preventive measure that helps the state identify as many factors as possible, which in a given situation can help to reduce the possibility of risk of violations.

There is no country in the world, as the speaker noted, where the ideal model of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) exist. However, there are general criteria that help to improve it.

So, for the effectiveness of the implementation of NPMs, it is necessary to analyze places of detention in the whole country (number, size, challenges, location). It is important to know the structures in the country that carry out activities similar to those of NPMs (mandate, independence, potential). In addition, it is necessary to have an understanding of civil society, authoritative non-governmental non-profit organizations (NGOs) and other factors.

The topic was continued by experts Jeanette Hal and Abi Dymond, who presented the experience of Great Britain in this field. Further, during the training, the topic “Development of a monitoring system in Uzbekistan” was discussed (session 5). It was noted that according to the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PD-4056, the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan received a new mandate in the field of monitoring, which is one of the ways of new developments in the field of monitoring to prevent torture in Uzbekistan.

As the First Deputy Director of the NHRC Mirzatilla Tillabaev said in his presentation, according to the resolution, the National Center is entitled to freely visit penitentiary institutions, places of detention and special reception centers.

Also, the functions of the Center now include the annual submission to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan of information on the status of compliance with international obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of human rights.

Monitoring capabilities within the NPM in Uzbekistan have also been expanded by giving new authorities to the Human Rights Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Ombudsman). So, on March 14, 2019, was adopted the Law “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding to the improvement of mechanisms for protecting the rights of convicts and persons in custody”, which strengthened the powers of the Ombudsman in the field of NPM. The collection of information and communication with prisoners, as its important part, were considered during the session No. 6 “Implementation of the fundamental principles of monitoring”. During the next session No. 7, Victor Zaharia spoke about the key stages of the monitoring visits.

Press-service of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights