Russia's human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, has announced readiness to transfer more than three thousand Uzbek citizens serving sentences in Russian prisons to serve their terms in their home country. The convicts themselves have expressed a desire to return, but the process is currently hindered by legal restrictions, as transfer is only possible after Uzbekistan ratifies an international convention.

The key obstacle remains Uzbekistan's failure to ratify the 1998 International Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This document regulates the mechanism for transferring prisoners between countries. Russia has implemented this convention for many years, with similar agreements in place with countries including Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

If ratified, the convention would allow Uzbek convicts to serve their sentences in their own country, which is considered more humane and conducive to social rehabilitation. Russia reportedly sent twice as many convicted migrants back to their home countries in 2025 compared to the previous year, highlighting the potential effectiveness of such transfers.

However, the ratification process by Uzbekistan has not yet begun, delaying the repatriation of thousands of citizens. This situation may pose additional challenges for families and society, as convicts continue to serve sentences abroad, raising concerns about legal and humanitarian implications.

Source: podrobno.uz