Samarkand hosted an international conference on “Sufficiency of evidence for detention and grounds for pre-trial release”.

The event, held jointly with the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the branch of the international non-governmental organization “Regional Dialogue” (Slovenia) in Uzbekistan, was attended by judges of criminal courts in Samarkand, Jizzakh, Navoi, and Kashkadarya regions, lawyers, and international experts.

Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan Alisher Jalilov noted that the main goal of the judicial reform currently underway in the country is the effective protection of citizens’ rights and interests in the courts. The same factor is identified as a priority in the short-term Strategy for bringing the judicial system to a qualitatively new level for 2023-2026.

International experts noted that due to judicial reform, the powers to apply procedural coercive measures were transferred to the courts, and the generally recognized Miranda warning and the principles of Habeas corpus are used in national law enforcement practice. It was emphasized that the reflection of this institution in Uzbekistan’s renewed Constitution is the practical result of the principle “In the name of human dignity”.

The participants discussed procedural measures taken by the courts regarding a suspect or accused, in particular, the legal grounds for applying a preventive measure or releasing a suspect from custody, checking the admissibility and validity of evidence, and issues of giving it a legal assessment.

The reports of foreign international experts helped to become familiar with the procedures in the United States and European countries during the transition period, the needs for improving the procedure for applying coercive measures in court and their effectiveness, and successful experience in this area.

The workshop participants in groups exchanged experiences in the form of practical exercises.

G. Khasanov, UzA