Law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and defence lawyers in Uzbekistan took part in a two-day workshop on protecting human rights in criminal proceedings, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Centre for Development and Justice (CDJI).
The workshop, titled “Ensuring Procedural Safeguards and the Protection of the Rights of Individuals in Criminal Proceedings”, focused on practical measures to make investigations, witness questioning, and detention processes fair, transparent, and humane.
International experts from Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK shared global best practices with participants. They highlighted key safeguards, including constitutional protections and the so-called Miranda Rights, which guarantee that individuals know the charges against them, can remain silent, and have access to legal counsel during detention. Originating in the United States, these rights have become a symbol of fair treatment for suspects worldwide.
A British expert, former police officer and trainer in international interviewing standards, introduced the P.E.A.C.E. model—an ethical, evidence-based approach to interviews that avoids coercion or pressure. Participants practiced these techniques in practical exercises, emphasizing trust, respect, and transparency.
The workshop also addressed international norms such as the Mendez Principles, which aim to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment during criminal proceedings. Discussions underscored that protecting human rights begins in everyday practice, from how investigators question suspects to how prosecutors assess evidence and judges make decisions.
At the end of the training, participants expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would strengthen the fairness of criminal proceedings in Uzbekistan and reinforce adherence to the rule of law and protection of human dignity.
