OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan supports youth crime prevention

The launch of the project 'Assistance in the Crime Prevention Among Children and Youth' at the juvenile colony for boys, supported by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), took place on 2 June 2021.

The project aims to enhance the national capacity to promote effective methods of crime prevention among youth by strengthening social integration and imparting legal basics about criminal law, gender sensitivity and children and youth rights.

Children and young people in custody come with complex needs and issues. Being left to fend for themselves, they often have no positive role model and tend to be in need for emotional, mental and physical support. Thus, the OSCE PCUz collaborates with the Child Rights Ombudsperson to offer opportunities for activities such as sport, music, theatre and vocational education.

During the visit, the OSCE PCUz and the Child Rights Ombudsperson were acquainted with the conditions in the colony and donated football uniforms to inmates.

Aliya Yunusova, the Child Rights Ombudsperson, addressed the colony's inmates: 'I am often asked how many children do I have and I say that all children in Uzbekistan are my children. Wherever you are, if your rights are violated, the Child Rights Ombudsperson is always ready to listen to you. You can send your appeals through Ombudsperson boxes or through the head of the colony. A hotline for children will also be introduced in the coming days to enable any child to call on their problems day and night.'

Mathieu Lemoine, Human Dimension Senior Project Officer, who attended the launch event said that the project's activities are meant to be creative, constructive and future-focused. 'Our goal is to help you to fulfil your potential and make a positive contribution to society.'