Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

On Nelson Mandela International Day, the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia shared copies of brochures of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) to be distributed among relevant government stakeholders in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

In Kyrgyzstan, UNODC jointly with State Prison Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic organized a working meeting dedicated to the Nelson Mandela International Day. The meeting was attended by the senior management of the Prison Service, chairperson of Public Oversight Council under the State Prison Service, representatives of international community (UNODC, OSCE, ICRC, AFEW, etc) and civil society organizations. The meetings participants informed on achievements reached by the Kyrgyz Prison Service in the area of prison (1) medical and health services, (2) complaints and inspections, as well as (3) staff training. The meeting participants agreed to make joint efforts on further drafting of the next National Strategy on development of Penal Execution (Prison) System of the Kyrgyz Republic for the period (2017-2020) and ensure its compliance with international standards including the Nelson Mandela Rules

In Tajikistan, UNODC organized a working meeting with Deputy Head of Prison Service of Tajikistan who informed that Nelson Mandela Rules will be considered for inclusion in the professional staff certification questionnaire.

In Uzbekistan, UNODC shared with its partners the copies of brochures with the Nelson Mandela Rules to be distributed among prison system of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other relevant stakeholders.  (Photo Alessandro Scotti)