Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Every year on 18 July, the world commemorates International Nelson Mandela Day—a day to pay tribute to the remarkable leader, human rights advocate, and symbol of freedom.

Nelson Mandela became an icon in the fight against discrimination and an unwavering advocate for justice. His life and work remind us of the importance of resilience and compassion in the face of social inequality.

Today, over 11.5 million people are incarcerated worldwide. This significant portion of the population often remains overlooked. Nearly all prisoners will eventually be released and reintegrated into society, where they will face the same challenges as us but often lack the resources to address them. What happens while a person is incarcerated affects all of us.

To honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy and improve conditions for prisoners, the United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 70/175 of 17 December 2015, adopted the revised set of "United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners," known as the "Nelson Mandela Rules."

The Mandela Rules cover a wide range of aspects concerning the treatment of prisoners, including prisoners’ rights, conditions of confinement, medical care, education, rehabilitation, prevention of torture and cruel treatment, as well as measures to support social integration after release. These rules are foundational in international standards for the treatment of prisoners and serve as a key document for developing national legislation and practices in criminal justice.

This day serves as an important occasion to draw attention to the significance of ensuring humane prison conditions, raising awareness that prisoners are an integral part of society, and recognizing the importance of the work of correctional staff as a vital social service.

"Each of us can contribute to advancing peace, human rights, sustainable development, and a decent life for all. The life of Nelson Mandela can be an inspiring example for each of us. Let us all together consider and further develop Nelson Mandela’s legacy," said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

One of the key focus areas of UNODC’s work is the development of probation systems, rehabilitation of prisoners, and enhancing their social integration. Special attention is given to training correctional staff, which contributes to creating conditions for their effective and safe work. The work of correctional staff is recognized as a social service of special importance, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and stability of society.

The UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia actively supports initiatives related to International Nelson Mandela Day. This year, the UNODC regional office in Central Asia is conducting a series of special events and programs aimed at supporting the penitentiary system and protecting human rights. Specifically, in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, training workshops and conferences are being held for representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, correctional staff, and a football match among prisoners is planned in one of the prisons in Kazakhstan.

In Uzbekistan, the UNODC supports the Republic of Uzbekistan authorities in developing and implementing social-oriented crime prevention strategies based on facts and human rights principles.

Safe, rights-respecting, supportive, and rehabilitative prisons benefit us all. Prisons that respect human rights and focus on rehabilitation mean that prisoners are less likely to reoffend. Our communities become stronger when the connection to the outside world is maintained during imprisonment and when prisoners can feel part of society. Additionally, diseases spread quickly in prisons and from there to the broader community. Prison health is public health.

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity," Nelson Mandela once said.

Supporting the "Nelson Mandela Rules" contributes to creating safe and humane prisons, which in turn positively impacts society as a whole.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)