Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan have approved in the first reading a bill aimed at improving the system for protecting children from all forms of violence.
The bill proposes amendments to the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Code of Administrative Responsibility and several other legislative acts, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis said.
The legislation was introduced on the initiative of the Adolat Social Democratic Party faction. Its main provisions call for tougher liability for violence and sexual offenses against children, stronger safeguards for minor victims and greater accountability for organizations and officials responsible for ensuring children’s safety.
In particular, the bill proposes lengthy imprisonment or life imprisonment for the rape of a person under the age of 14, as well as for the violent satisfaction of sexual needs in an unnatural form involving a child under that age.
For crimes against children’s sexual freedom, the bill proposes removing the possibility of exemption from criminal liability due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for prosecution. Such offenders would also not be exempt from punishment because the limitation period for enforcing a conviction has expired.
A separate set of amendments concerns the protection of children during investigations and court proceedings.
Interrogations of minors who have suffered violence would be recorded on video. Confrontations between a child who is a victim of a crime against sexual freedom and a suspect, accused person or defendant would be conducted under a special procedure.
If violence has been committed by people close to the child, a representative of the guardianship and trusteeship authority would participate at the pretrial stage and during court proceedings.
The bill also provides for state-funded legal assistance for children who have suffered violence or witnessed it. This is intended to ensure that minors have access to qualified legal assistance regardless of their financial circumstances.
The document also proposes tougher liability for failure to act in protecting children. In particular, it would introduce liability for the improper performance of childcare duties, failure to comply with decisions of commissions on children’s issues or obstruction of their implementation.
Intentional infliction of serious or moderate bodily harm on a minor would be recognized as an aggravating circumstance.
A similar approach is proposed for indecent acts committed by a group of people against a person under the age of 16. The bill also calls for tougher penalties for involving minors in antisocial behavior.
The legislation also addresses the liability of parents and employees of educational institutions.
It proposes stronger administrative measures for failure to perform child-rearing duties, sexual harassment and violations of legislation on the marriageable age. In cases of violence by a teacher during the educational process, the bill would establish a legal basis for terminating the employment contract at the employer’s initiative.
The bill also provides for liability for violating legal requirements on protecting children from information that could harm their health.
The Legislative Chamber said the proposed amendments are aimed at comprehensively strengthening the protection of children’s lives, health, honor and dignity, preventing violence and ensuring the restoration of the rights of minors who have suffered from it.
Following the discussion, deputies approved the bill in the first reading.
