Uzbekistan Toughens Penalties for Violence Against Women and Sexual Crimes Against Children

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 3 March, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a sweeping set of legislative initiatives designed to bolster the protection of women and children and eliminate harassment and violence across the republic. The measures, which include life sentences for pedophiles and digital rapid-response systems for victims, mark a significant escalation in the government's efforts to safeguard human rights and strengthen the social fabric.

Central to the session were strategies to prevent early marriages and underage pregnancies, which the administration views as critical barriers to healthy family development. To streamline these efforts, a newly established interagency council presented a comprehensive package of proposals synthesized from public discourse, expert testimony, and international best practices.

Under the proposed legal reforms, sexual harassment will now carry an administrative arrest of up to five days. Crucially, the government plans to institute mandatory life imprisonment for those convicted of pedophilia. Furthermore, individuals convicted of sexual assault under Articles 118 and 119 of the Criminal Code will no longer be eligible for transfer to open-type prison colonies, ensuring they serve their sentences in high-security facilities.

To ensure impartiality and professional rigor, jurisdiction over sexual crime investigations will shift from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Prosecutor's Office. Administrative harassment cases will now require a formal prosecutorial finding to confirm the absence of criminal elements before proceeding. The reform also mandates specialized training for defense attorneys, investigators, and judges handling such sensitive cases.

Technological intervention will also play a key role. Victims of violence will be provided with an "SOS" mobile application. Upon activation, the system triggers an emergency response from internal affairs officers within a five-kilometer radius, with a mandated arrival time of no more than ten minutes.

The government is also taking direct aim at the prevalence of early marriages. Currently, approximately 40 percent of marriages in Uzbekistan involve individuals aged 18 to 19, despite international recommendations suggesting 21 as the optimal age for marital stability. In response, the President approved financial incentives for couples who marry after age 21, along with state fee waivers for prenuptial agreements. To enforce these norms, the government will implement a whistleblower incentive program, where 15 percent of fines collected for marriage age violations will be awarded to those who report the infractions.

A new interagency alert system will connect the Ministry of Internal Affairs with "Inson" social service centers to track early marriages and pregnancies in girls under 16. Officials who conceal such facts will face administrative liability. Additionally, new educational protections will allow pregnant students or those with children under three to continue their studies via flexible learning models to prevent them from dropping out of the academic system.

President Mirziyoyev signed the decree finalizing these initiatives and instructed relevant departments to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign. He emphasized that the protection of women and children requires a comprehensive societal shift toward zero tolerance for violence and the creation of a fundamentally safe environment for all citizens.