Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan has conceptually reviewed, in its first reading, a bill aimed at ensuring the right of individuals deprived of their liberty to have online meetings.

During the discussion, it was noted that the country is carrying out systematic work to strengthen the guarantees of rights and freedoms of prisoners, create conditions for their correction, and promote lawful behavior. This includes respect for society, work, public rules, and traditions, as well as accelerated social adaptation after serving a sentence.

Special attention is given to reducing the recurrence of crimes committed by prisoners and implementing modern information and communication technologies in the rehabilitation process.

The bill was developed to prevent the social isolation of prisoners by providing them with the opportunity to maintain contact with society through modern technologies. This, in turn, will ease their reintegration into society after serving their sentences.

The document amends and supplements the relevant articles of the Criminal Executive Code, proposing the possibility of online meetings for prisoners serving sentences in the Ministry of Internal Affairs institutions.

The number of such video visits will depend on the terms of the sentence and the conditions of the prisoners’ detention.

During the discussion, lawmakers emphasized that the bill aims to protect human interests and guarantee the rights of prisoners to remote video meetings with their families.

According to the deputies, the proposed changes will create conditions for prisoners to meet with their family members and loved ones, facilitating their social adaptation.

The bill was approved by the deputies in its first reading.