Inmates in Uzbekistan’s largest penitentiaries have reportedly been deprived of family visits and parcels.
Relatives of several inmates in various penal colonies across the country told RFE/RL on May 19 that they have been refused access to their incarcerated relatives for almost a month.
Some of the inmates' relatives say they were told that a "temporary quarantine" had been introduced due to repair works in the penitentiaries' visiting rooms.
Officials at Uzbekistan's State Directorate to Monitor Penitentiaries refused to comment on the situation.
A representative of the Tashkent-based Ezgulik (Compassion) human rights group, Abdurakhmon Tashanov, told RFE/RL that the development is a violation of both Uzbek law and Tashkent's international commitments.
Relatives of several inmates in various penal colonies across the country told RFE/RL on May 19 that they have been refused access to their incarcerated relatives for almost a month.
Some of the inmates' relatives say they were told that a "temporary quarantine" had been introduced due to repair works in the penitentiaries' visiting rooms.
Officials at Uzbekistan's State Directorate to Monitor Penitentiaries refused to comment on the situation.
A representative of the Tashkent-based Ezgulik (Compassion) human rights group, Abdurakhmon Tashanov, told RFE/RL that the development is a violation of both Uzbek law and Tashkent's international commitments.