Uzbekistan Senate Approves Changes to Extremism Laws

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis has approved a law introducing amendments and additions to several legislative acts aimed at improving the effectiveness of efforts to combat extremism.

The legislation is intended to improve legal mechanisms for countering various forms of extremism. The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan reported this.

The amendments introduce changes to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility. In particular, they liberalize liability for the production, possession and distribution of materials containing ideas of extremism, separatism and fanaticism.

Under the law, direct criminal liability for such actions committed for the first time will be abolished and replaced with administrative liability. Criminal liability will apply if the offense is committed repeatedly.

The law on combating extremism will also be amended to establish a clear definition of “extremism.”

The legislation provides for a specific list of crimes related to extremism, the implementation of state programs to prevent and counter it, and the creation of an electronic register of extremist organizations and materials.

The legal framework for monitoring and risk assessment will also be strengthened. The term “religious extremism” will be replaced in legislation by the term “extremism” to ensure a unified legal approach in law enforcement practice.

The law also provides additional mechanisms to support scientific research on countering extremism and to protect and encourage people who report extremist activities. Some provisions are aimed at preventing the spread of extremist ideas on the internet and in the mass media.

The legislation also improves procedures for recognizing organizations as extremist and mechanisms for the resocialization of people who have committed extremist-related crimes.

Senators said the law is aimed at strengthening the legal balance between protecting human rights and ensuring public security, improving preventive measures, and maintaining peace and stability in the country.

The law was approved by the senators following consideration.