Medical professionals and forensic experts gathered in Khiva on April 13–14 for a training on documenting torture and ill-treatment under the internationally recognized Istanbul Protocol.
The course brought together 60 participants from Bukhara, Khorezm, Navoi, and Tashkent regions, as well as Karakalpakstan. It was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the National Centre for Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Sentences under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Forensic Medical Examination.
“Torture leaves scars that are not always visible. Through this training, we are equipping professionals to listen carefully, document rigorously and uphold justice. Medicine and science are powerful tools to protect dignity and human rights,” Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan voiced.
Over two days, participants were trained to identify, record, and report evidence of abuse using methods aligned with legal and ethical standards. Sessions were led by international experts, including Rusudan Beriashvili, who focused on survivor interviews and physical evidence documentation, and Azamat Shambilov, who covered national and international mechanisms to prevent torture.
The programme emphasized a survivor-centred approach to ensure that documentation does not cause additional harm. Participants took part in case studies, practical exercises, and role-playing sessions.
The training forms part of the OSCE’s broader support to Uzbekistan’s penitentiary system, including efforts aligned with the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules.
A similar training session is scheduled to take place in Bukhara on April 16–17 for prison medical staff and forensic specialists from Bukhara, Samarkand, and Navoi regions.
