Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis has approved in its second reading a bill aimed at strengthening protection of children from all forms of violence and increasing liability for crimes against minors.
The bill was introduced on the initiative of the Adolat Social Democratic Party faction and provides for amendments to the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Code of Administrative Responsibility and several other legislative acts.
Among other provisions, the bill proposes penalties of up to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment for the rape of a person under the age of 14 and the violent satisfaction of sexual needs in an unnatural form.
The bill also provides for restrictions on the application of certain provisions on suspended sentences and early release in cases involving intentional crimes that result in the death of a child. For a number of crimes against children’s sexual freedom, the bill proposes removing statutes of limitations for prosecution and enforcement of sentences.
Intentional infliction of serious or moderate bodily harm on a minor would be recognised as an aggravating circumstance. The bill also proposes treating group indecent acts against a person under 16 as an aggravating offence. In addition, liability would be strengthened for involving minors in antisocial behaviour, failure to fulfil child-rearing duties and other offences.
A separate set of amendments concerns the procedural rights of minors who have suffered from violence. Interrogations of such children would have to 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 have to be conducted under a special procedure with the participation of a representative of the guardianship and trusteeship authority.
The bill also provides for state-funded legal assistance for children who have suffered violence or witnessed it.
It introduces liability for distributing among children information that could harm their health. Certain provisions concern failure to comply with decisions of commissions on children’s affairs or obstruction of their implementation.
The proposed changes also cover education. Violence by an employee of an educational organisation against a child during education or upbringing could become grounds for termination of the employment contract at the employer’s initiative.
Before the second reading, the bill was revised with the participation of relevant specialists and representatives of the public. Deputies reviewed proposals submitted during the public discussion and incorporated those considered justified.
In particular, provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code were clarified regarding state-funded legal assistance for minors subjected to sexual violence, mandatory video recording of interrogations of minor witnesses and participation of guardianship and trusteeship representatives.
Provisions on liability for distributing prohibited information among children and failure to comply with decisions of commissions on children’s affairs were also revised. Amendments to the Law on Education were further developed to take into account situations that may arise in practice.
During the discussion, deputies stressed the need to protect children’s lives, health, honour and dignity, prevent violence against minors and ensure liability for such crimes.
Following consideration, the Legislative Chamber approved the bill in its second reading.
