The key facts
- Sexual violence against children under 14 — up to 25 years imprisonment or life imprisonment, with no statute of limitations
- The law amends 5 codes and 6 laws
- Adopted after a high-profile case in the Uchkurgan district of Namangan region
Law Tightening Penalties Signed
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law tightening penalties for crimes involving violence against children. According to Kun.uz, amendments are being made to 5 codes and 6 laws. Under the new rules, persons who commit sexual violence against children under 14 years of age face imprisonment for up to 25 years or life imprisonment. Statutes of limitations for prosecution for such grave crimes are not limited.
Statements by Saida Mirziyoyeva
Head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva stated that violence against young children must not be tolerated, and punishment must be inevitable and unconditional. According to her, everyone who caused a child physical or moral suffering will be held accountable — whether an employee of an educational institution or a close relative. Punishment for crimes resulting in a child's death will not be mitigated. She also emphasized that measures are provided to ensure the participation of a lawyer providing legal assistance to a minor victim at state expense in cases of sexual offenses.
Context of the Law's Adoption
Kun.uz notes that the law was adopted against the backdrop of a high-profile incident in the Uchkurgan district of Namangan region, where a 52-year-old farm manager of a kindergarten raped a 5-year-old girl.
