Uzbekistan Proposes Ban on Marriages Between Relatives up to the Fourth Degree

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan plans to introduce a legislative ban on marriages between relatives in the lateral line of the second, third, and fourth degrees of kinship. The corresponding provision is included in a draft law published for public discussion on official government platforms.

The proposed restrictions would prohibit marriages between uncles or aunts and their nieces or nephews, as well as between first cousins. Exceptions are allowed only in cases where one of the parties is an adopted or foster child and there is no actual blood relationship within the first to fourth degrees.

The draft also provides for the possibility of lowering the legal marriage age by no more than one year at the discretion of the hokim (district or city governor). This measure may be applied upon the request of the parties in cases related to pregnancy or childbirth.

In addition to the new restrictions, the document introduces liability for entering into a marriage with a person who has not reached the established legal age. A repeated violation after an administrative penalty may result in a fine of 50 to 100 basic estimated values (from 20.6 million to 41.2 million soums), mandatory community service of 240–300 hours, or corrective labor for up to two years.