President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree pardoning 392 individuals who are serving sentences, have sincerely repented for their actions, and firmly embarked on the path of correction. The move, announced by UzA, comes ahead of the national holiday of Navruz and the sacred holiday of Ramadan, and is presented as a demonstration of noble qualities such as kindness, mercy, tolerance, and generosity inherent to the people, as well as a practical confirmation of the state's humanitarian policy. The decree is based on Article 109, Clause 23 of the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

According to the decree, 223 individuals have been fully exempted from their primary punishment, 82 have been released on parole, and 34 have had their imprisonment sentences commuted to lighter penalties. Additionally, the prison terms of 53 individuals have been reduced. These measures indicate a structured approach to clemency, targeting various levels of rehabilitation and reintegration.

Among those pardoned are 3 foreign citizens, 26 women, 14 men over the age of 60, 166 young people, and 24 individuals who participated in the activities of banned organizations. This composition highlights the inclusive nature of the pardon, covering vulnerable groups and those formerly involved in extremist activities, which may reflect broader social reconciliation efforts.

To implement the decree, responsible ministries and agencies have been instructed to facilitate the return of pardoned individuals to their families and loved ones, assist them in adapting to social life, engaging in useful labor, establishing a healthy lifestyle, and finding a dignified place in society. These directives aim to support the reintegration process and reduce recidivism, though the practical challenges of such social adaptation in Uzbekistan's economic context remain to be seen.

Source: kun.uz