It was found that minors are kept in the same cell as adult prisoners

It was discovered that minors are being detained in the same cells as adult prisoners in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The Children's Ombudsman reported this information.

It was noted that during monitoring conducted by the Children's Ombudsman on July 18-19 of this year in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the conditions of two minors, Kh.Kh. and R.T., were examined, and they were interviewed separately.

During the monitoring, it was found that these minors were being detained in the same cells as adult prisoners.

"According to international standards and national legislation, minors must be held separately from adults in detention centers, except in special cases with the consent of the prosecutor," the report stated.

The General Prosecutor's Office investigated this situation in the detention center based on a special request from the Children's Ombudsman regarding the violation of this law discovered during the monitoring. The investigation revealed that officials at the investigative detention center failed to comply with the requirements of Article 41 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Detention during Criminal Proceedings" of 2011. Without obtaining the prosecutor's consent, minors were detained in the same cells as adults, leading to the application of disciplinary measures, including "severe punishment," against those responsible.

The investigation did not uncover any instances of adult prisoners infringing upon the rights of the minors. Currently, the minors have been placed in separate cells, and the strict adherence to legal requirements by the prison administration is being closely monitored by the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

"The Children's Ombudsman continues to monitor the rectification of violations of children's rights identified during the monitoring," the report concluded.