Engagement of boys and girls under the age of 18 will be prohibited

In Uzbekistan, it is expected that engagement ceremonies for boys and girls under the age of 18 will be prohibited. The relevant draft law was developed and discussed by the Family and Women's Committee.

The draft law prohibits engagement ceremonies for young men and women under the age of 18. It also establishes that the mayor of the district or city where the marriage is registered may reduce the age of marriage by a maximum of one year in the event of pregnancy, childbirth, or the declaration of full legal capacity (emancipation) of a minor upon the application of the parties to the marriage.

In particular, an increase in the amount of fines is set for the following:

• Entering into a marriage relationship with a person under the legal marriage age: from 10 times to 15 times the BHM (from 3.4 million soums to 5.1 million soums). In practice, this is increased from 5 times to 10 times the BHM.
• Parents or guardians arranging the marriage of a person under the legal marriage age: from 15 to 20 times the BHM (from 5.1 million soums to 6.8 million soums).
• Performing a religious marriage ceremony between individuals whose marriage is not registered in accordance with the law, including with a person under the legal marriage age: from 20 to 30 times the BHM (from 6.8 million soums to 10.2 million soums).
• Violating procedures and conditions related to the conclusion and formalization of marriage established by law: from 15 to 30 times the BHM (from 5.1 million soums to 10.2 million soums).