The thirty-ninth plenary session of the Senate continues. Senators considered the law “On amendments and additions to some legal documents of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the further improvement of the system of reliable protection of the rights, freedoms and legal interests of women and children”.

This law is aimed at prevention of such negative situations, as well as establishing strict punishments for various cases of violence against women and minors.

The law stipulates appropriate administrative and criminal liability measures for “domestic violence”, that is, violence committed against a wife or husband, ex-wife or ex-husband, a person living together on the basis of the same household, or a person who has a common child. Also, now humanitarian acts in the form of early parole or commutation of punishment for persons who have committed sexual violence, including sexual violence against minors, will not be implemented, and punishments for such crimes are being made more severe.

In addition, responsibility is established for sexual acts against women, harassment, and parents’ failure to fulfill their obligations to appoint guardians for their minor children.

“There is no need to overstate how urgent the issue of violence against children and women is today. I would like to draw your attention to some data from the extensive analysis. In 2021-2022, law enforcement agencies received more than 72,000 complaints about harassment and violence against women and girls, and more than 61,000 of them, or about 85%, were committed in the family.

Unfortunately, until now, Uzbekistan has not had a separate law that makes people responsible for domestic violence. Horrific and heinous crimes against women and children are happening all around us. In 2020, 156 rape-related crimes were committed, and in 2021 – 243. 

The conclusion is that our society needs stricter laws capable of reliably protecting the rights of women and children,” Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva said.

Reportedly, it is planned to prohibit persons who have committed sexual violence against minors from engaging in activities involving education and training of children, as well as direct work with children, and to maintain a list of persons who have committed such crimes.

The law was approved by senators.