New legislation defines accountability for family violence against children

On September 20, the Senate of Uzbekistan discussed and approved a new law establishing responsibility for family violence against children. Titled “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legal Documents of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with Strengthening Measures to Protect Against Family (Domestic) Violence”, the law is designed to enhance protections for children and combat domestic violence more effectively.

The legislation was developed following recommendations from the World Bank, aiming to improve measures to prevent violence against children and women while fostering a more positive moral environment within families.

The law introduces amendments to Article 592 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility and Article 126¹ of the Criminal Code, specifically addressing accountability for committing domestic violence against a child. It also revises the process for submitting a petition for reconciliation in cases involving family violence, stipulating that such petitions can only be filed during the court hearing and not during the inquiry or preliminary investigation. Reconciliation must be requested before the court enters deliberation.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that one in three women experiences physical abuse from a partner, with 38% of femicide cases linked to domestic violence.

From 2023 to May this year, 55.6% of the 894 recorded domestic violence cases in Uzbekistan—506 cases—were closed due to reconciliation between the parties. In the remaining 44.4% (388 cases), the courts handed down appropriate sentences.