- Being based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the establishment of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as of 3 December 1998; - Determined to support the implementation by the Kyrgyz Republic of existing international human rights obligations, including the applicable OSCE human dimension commitments; - Inspired by the provisions of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic approved by national referendum on 27 June 2010, the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, signed on 10 December 1984, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention, ratified by the Kyrgyz Republic on 29 December 2008 (Law no. 52 of 5 April 2008); - Convinced that the protection of persons deprived of their liberty against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment can be strengthened by non-judicial means of a preventive nature, based on unannounced regular visits to places of detention; - Welcoming the willingness of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice (hereinafter “Government Bodies”) and of nongovernmental organizations to cooperate in improving the human rights situation in the Kyrgyz Republic, including the area of torture prevention, with assistance of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Freedom House Project “Strengthening Human Rights in Kyrgyzstan’, and the Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan. Within the boundaries of their respective mandates, the Parties decide to set out the framework for their future cooperation in the following Memorandum: Article 1 In line with the mandate provided by the Constitution and Laws of the Kyrgyz Republic, Government Bodies undertake to: 1. Establish and maintain regular cooperation with nongovernmental organizations actively working on issues pertaining to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Kyrgyz Republic; 2. Actively participate in initiatives aimed at building their capacity in addressing human rights issues, organized by local or regional human rights organizations, the OSCE, Freedom House, and Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan or other international organizations; 3. With the aim of strengthening the protection of persons deprived or limited in their freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, actively engage in monitoring of places of detention or restriction of liberty with partner civil society organizations including but not limited to: pre-trial detention centers (SIZO), various temporary detention facilities, 86