Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has proposed additional measures to strengthen criminal liability for crimes against the sexual integrity of children and protect minors who have suffered violence. The relevant provisions are contained in a draft law.
The document provides for long-term or life imprisonment for rape or violent gratification of sexual needs in a perverted form against a person under the age of 14.
Under the draft law, people who commit crimes against the sexual integrity of children would not be eligible for exemption from criminal liability due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for prosecution. It also proposes removing exemption from punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for enforcement of a conviction.
Other provisions of the document seek to change procedures for conducting legal proceedings involving minors who have suffered violence. In particular, it proposes recording their interrogations on video.
Confrontations between a child recognized as a victim and a suspect, accused person or defendant in cases involving crimes against sexual integrity would be conducted under a special procedure.
If violence is committed by people close to the child, the draft law provides for the mandatory participation of a guardianship and trusteeship authority representative during the pre-trial stages of criminal proceedings and court hearings.
The document also proposes introducing a state-funded legal assistance mechanism for children who have suffered violence or witnessed it.
