CAT/C/UZB/CO/5
(a)
Measures for the further reform of the legal and judicial system,
strengthening safeguards for the protection of human rights and freedoms and the creation
of the Supreme Judicial Council, in 2016;
(b)
Measures to overhaul the processing of communications, including the
setting up of public help desks for processing of citizens’ claims and complaints, in 2016;
(c)
A strategy of action for the period 2017–2021 in five priority areas of
development, which also serves as a road map towards attainment of the Sustainable
Development Goals;
(d)
Approval of the regulation on the procedure for granting political asylum in
Uzbekistan, in 2017;
(e)
Prohibiting the use of evidence obtained in breach of the provisions of the
criminal procedure code, including through the use of torture or psychological and physical
pressure, rendering coerced evidence inadmissible in criminal cases and establishing
criminal liability for the falsification of evidence, in 2017;
(f)
Boosting the effectiveness of internal affairs bodies and related measures
including article 95-1 of the criminal procedure code; amendments to the Procuratorial
Service Act, in 2016 and 2017; and a rule added to article 22 of the criminal procedure code
requiring courts to verify reports of torture, in 2016 and 2017.
5.
The Committee also welcomes:
(a)
The extension until 2020 of the Decent Work Programme, which includes
measures to prohibit child labour and forced labour, as agreed with the International Labour
Organization (ILO), in 2017;
(b)
The closure of Jaslyk prison (UYA 64/OF1) as a federal prison and transfer
of its inmates elsewhere, in 2019;
(c)
Visits to Uzbekistan by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or
belief, in 2017, and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, in
2019, and assurances by the delegation that an invitation to visit is being extended to the
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.
C.
Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
Pending follow-up issues from the previous reporting cycle
6.
In paragraph 31 of its previous concluding observations (CAT/C/UZB/CO/4), the
Committee requested the State party to provide follow-up information on measures taken to
implement its recommendations concerning the eradication of widespread torture and illtreatment (para. 7); the eradication of harassment, arbitrary imprisonment and alleged
torture of human rights defenders (para. 8); and ensuring the respect of fundamental legal
safeguards against torture and ill-treatment (para. 13). The Committee appreciates the
information provided by the State party in its response to the follow-up procedure,
submitted on 17 April 2014 (CAT/C/UZB/CO/4/Add.1), and in its reply to the Committee’s
list of issues in relation to its fifth periodic report, submitted on 16 September 2019
(CAT/C/UZB/Q/5/Add.1). However, having examined that information, the Committee
considers that the recommendations in paragraphs 7, 8 and 13 have not been implemented
(see paras. 10, 18 and 30, respectively).
Widespread, routine torture and ill-treatment
7.
The Committee remains deeply concerned at reports that torture and ill-treatment
continue to be routinely committed by, at the instigation of and with the consent of the State
party’s law enforcement, investigative and prison officials, principally for the purpose of
extracting confessions or information to be used in criminal proceedings.
8.
The Committee notes the presidential decree and amendments to legislation that
would reduce incentives to perpetrate torture and make it mandatory for procuratorial
authorities and courts to verify reports of torture. The Committee regrets, however, that the
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