UNITED
NATIONS
CAT
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/UZB/CO/3
26 February 2008
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Thirty-ninth session
Geneva, 5 - 23 November 2007
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION
Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture
UZBEKISTAN
1.
The Committee considered the third periodic report of Uzbekistan (CAT/C/UZB/3) at its
789th and 792nd meetings (CAT/C/SR.789 and CAT/C/SR.792), held on 9 and 12 October 2007,
and adopted, at its 807th and 808th meetings, held on 22 November 2007 (CAT/C/SR.807 and
CAT/C/SR.808), the following conclusions and recommendations.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of Uzbekistan and
the extensive responses to the list of issues (CAT/C/UZB/Q/3/Add.1) by the State party and the
representatives who participated in the oral review.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the following developments, including the following
administrative, legislative and other measures taken:
(a)
Scheduled introduction of habeas corpus provisions beginning 1 January 2008;
(b)
Adoption of the law to abolish the death penalty beginning 1 January 2008;
(c)
Amendment to article 235 of the Criminal Code, addressing some of the elements
in the definition of torture;
(d)
Transfer of the authority to issue arrests warrants from the prosecutor’s office to
the courts (8 August 2005);
(e)
Order No. 40, which instructs prosecutors to apply the provisions under the
Convention and applicable national laws directly;
(f)
The Supreme Court’s directives to prohibit the introduction of evidence, including
testimonies, obtained under torture, resulting in courts referring “numerous criminal cases back
for further investigation after evidence had been found inadmissible.”
GE.08-40689