Senate strengthens laws on human trafficking with harsher penalties

On December 21, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis approved amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, increasing the penalties for human trafficking offenses. The decision was made during the second plenary session of the Senate, with the proposal outlined in the law "On Amendments to Article 135 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan."

The law specifically introduces harsher penalties for individuals involved in human trafficking, particularly in cases where the victim is a pregnant woman. The Senate emphasized that these amendments are aimed at preventing human trafficking crimes, effectively combating them, and ensuring that the punishment is proportionate to the severity of the offense. The law also aims to better protect the rights of women and children.

During the discussion, the senators highlighted the importance of strengthening measures to combat human trafficking and expressed hope that the law would have a significant impact on reducing such crimes.

The law was unanimously approved at the end of the session.

This move follows a recent incident in the Surkhandarya region, where a 23-year-old woman was detained after attempting to sell her infant daughter, born in 2024, for 15 thousand US dollars in exchange for a house in the city of Termez. Material evidence was seized during the arrest.