Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Senate of Uzbekistan has reviewed and approved the Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Penal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan," which introduces the possibility of remote video calls for convicts serving sentences in correctional institutions.

Over the past eight years, state policy regarding individuals in detention or those who have already served their sentences has undergone significant changes. The conditions of imprisonment are gradually being brought in line with international standards, and the rights of convicts are being expanded.

Currently, more than 30,000 people are held in Uzbekistan’s penitentiary institutions. Under existing legislation, each convict is entitled to six long-term visits per year (lasting from one to three days), with up to three relatives allowed to attend—two adults and one minor. Before 2020, the number of such visits was limited to four.

However, in many cases, relatives face difficulties visiting correctional facilities due to long distances, lengthy travel times, financial costs, and the inability to bring all family members.

To support family ties and facilitate the social reintegration of convicts, modern information and communication technologies are being actively introduced into the penal system. The newly discussed law aims to protect the rights of prisoners by ensuring the possibility of video calls with their relatives.

Under the amendments, remote video calls will no longer be considered an additional privilege but will be recognized as a fundamental right, with the number of allowed video calls equated to the number of permitted phone calls, depending on the correctional facility's regime.

The adoption of this law is expected to enhance educational and rehabilitative efforts for convicts, promote the use of modern technologies in the penitentiary system, strengthen Uzbekistan’s international standing in human rights protection, and improve the country’s rankings in global indices.