Jamila Dzhamanbaeva, the Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan, visited the pre-trial detention center (SIZO-1) located in Bishkek to check the conditions of detention for inmates.
The purpose of the visit was to monitor the observance of rights and conditions of detention for women under investigation.
The Ombudsman inspected all 19 cells of the women's section and held conversations with the inmates.
During the monitoring, Jamila Dzhamanbaeva organized personal receptions with 12 women who expressed a desire to discuss their issues privately. As a result of the meetings, legal consultations were provided, and applications were accepted.
Many women expressed complaints about intimidation and mistreatment by two SIZO staff members, as well as insufficient access to contact with relatives.
A significant number of detainees also expressed dissatisfaction with the medical services, reporting delays in receiving assistance and refusals to provide it.
Some women are concerned about the delays in the investigation of their cases and the court proceedings, and reported violations of their rights to parole.
Several inmates lacked lawyers, or they could not promptly contact their defenders.
The women also requested an increase in the time for meetings with their children, as the current short visits do not allow for enough time with them. The care of the children has been left to relatives or they are in orphanages.
One woman in SIZO had a 1.5-year-old child with her, who was transferred from another facility for additional investigative actions.
The Ombudsman urged the SIZO management to create the necessary conditions for the protection of children's rights.
Additionally, Jamila Dzhamanbaeva checked the quality of the food provided to the inmates during lunch.
Among the inmates were foreign citizens. A citizen of Uzbekistan, A. M., appealed to the Ombudsman to expedite her extradition process, as the Sverdlovsk District Court of Bishkek had already issued a decision for her return to her homeland on November 14.
A Russian citizen also requested assistance in obtaining permission for phone calls with her children and a meeting with the investigator.
Since the beginning of the year, the staff of the Ombudsman's Institute has visited the SIZO 71 times, resulting in 21 applications from women.
Alongside Jamila Dzhamanbaeva, her deputy Janibek Zhorobaev conducted monitoring of the men's section of SIZO-1, communicating with most of the arrested individuals and accepting their applications.
Based on the complaints received, necessary actions will be taken, and recommendations and letters will be sent to the relevant state authorities.
There are 129 women and 1514 men in SIZO-1.
Following the monitoring, the Ombudsman provided recommendations to the leadership of the State Penitentiary Service to ensure the rights of those under investigation and to prevent violations guaranteed by the Constitution.
