Uzbekistan increases penalties for child sexual crimes

Uzbekistan has implemented significant legal reforms to increase penalties for sexual crimes against children under the age of 14. Following a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, perpetrators of severe sexual violence now face imprisonment of up to 25 years or life imprisonment. Previously, the maximum sentence for the rape of a child under 14 was 15 to 20 years.

The legislative changes were prompted by a high-profile case in the Namangan region, where a kindergarten worker was arrested for the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl. This incident sparked widespread social and political outcry, including calls from some citizens and officials, such as Saida Mirziyoyeva, for the reinstatement of the death penalty for such crimes.

In addition to harsher sentencing, the new law removes statutes of limitations for the most serious crimes against the sexual integrity of children, ensuring that perpetrators cannot avoid prosecution due to the passage of time. The reforms also introduce protective measures for victims, including state-funded legal assistance and specialized protocols for taking testimony from minors to minimize re-traumatization.