Uzbek Lawmakers Approve Bill Expanding Defense Rights

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis has adopted a draft law providing for amendments and supplements to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law "On the Legal Profession," aimed at expanding the procedural rights of the defense side.

According to the document, a criminal case will be sent to court not only with the indictment or the accusatory act, but also with the opinion of the defense side.

The bill also grants the defense attorney the right to submit a written defense opinion within five days after the completion of the preliminary investigation or inquiry.

This document may set out the position on the charges filed, evidence demonstrating the innocence of the accused or mitigating their responsibility, a list of persons proposed to be summoned to court, as well as other arguments of the defense side.

As noted during the consideration of the bill, the proposed changes will ensure a more complete implementation of the principle of equality of the parties in judicial proceedings.

Judges will be able to familiarize themselves in advance with the positions of both the prosecution and the defense, which is expected to contribute to improving the quality of justice.

According to the deputies, the adoption of the law will also strengthen the adversarial principle in criminal proceedings and increase the role of the defense attorney in ensuring the protection of the rights of participants in judicial proceedings.

Following the review, the deputies adopted the draft law and forwarded it to the Senate.