Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A working group meeting on a draft law aimed at improving the system for protecting children from all forms of violence was held at the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis on 29 September, the lower house’s press service reported.
The discussion was attended by members of the Public Council under the Legislative Chamber’s Committee on the Development of Democratic Institutions and Civil Society, as well as representatives of the public.
Participants reviewed provisions of the draft law, issues related to their practical application, existing problems in protecting children from violence and possible ways to address them. Public representatives also put forward proposals for further improving the document.
Gulrukh Agzamova, chairwoman of the relevant committee of the Legislative Chamber, said the need to develop the draft law was linked to efforts to ensure protection of children from all forms of violence, strengthen liability for such acts and reinforce legal safeguards.
According to her, the draft law had previously been discussed at meetings of parliamentary factions and at a plenary session, where it received conceptual approval in the first reading. Members of the Public Council were invited to the working group meeting to take their views and proposals into account as work on the document continues.
Blogger Shakhnoza Soatova stressed that work on the draft law should not be limited solely to strengthening penalties. In her view, particular attention should also be given to mechanisms for preventing violence against children as the document is further developed.
Soatova said public calls for tougher punishment were linked to demands for justice, but the effectiveness of legal provisions also depends on their practical application and the inevitability of accountability.
Public Council member Sattor Rakhmatov described the draft law’s conceptual approval in the first reading as an important step. He stressed the need to assess how effectively the special protection measures envisaged by the bill are being implemented in practice.
According to him, protecting children is not only the responsibility of government bodies but of society as a whole.
He proposed paying particular attention to child safety in educational institutions, including controlling entry to and exit from school grounds and creating a safe learning environment.
Rakhmatov also highlighted the importance of coordinating the work of responsible agencies and involving the public alongside measures to strengthen liability for violence against children.
Following the meeting, the working group will continue reviewing the proposals put forward and work on improving the provisions of the draft law.
