# Child protection legal developments in Uzbekistan

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-protection-legal-developments-in-uzbekistan
> Updated: 2026-11-02T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

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, an increase from the previous maximum of 15 to 20 years.

The legislative changes were prompted by a high-profile case in the Namangan region involving the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl by a kindergarten worker. This incident led to social and political calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty. The new laws also remove statutes of limitations for the most serious crimes against the sexual integrity of children and introduce protective measures for victims, such as state-funded legal assistance and specialized testimony protocols for minors.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-02: Courts in Uganda and Ghana issue prison sentences for child defilement

Courts in Uganda and Ghana have handed down significant prison sentences to men convicted of defiling young children in separate legal proceedings.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/courts-in-uganda-and-ghana-issue-prison-sentences-for-child-defilement

### 2026-10-14: Uzbekistan increases penalties for child sexual crimes

Uzbekistan has increased penalties for sexual crimes against children under 14, introducing life imprisonment and removing statutes of limitations following a high-profile abuse case in Namangan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-increases-penalties-for-child-sexual-crimes

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Cite as: Child protection legal developments in Uzbekistan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-protection-legal-developments-in-uzbekistan