Uzbekistan to toughen penalties for indecent acts against minors

In Uzbekistan, liability for indecent acts committed against persons under the age of 16 using telecommunications networks or the Internet is set to be increased. This was announced at a meeting of political party factions in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

The session discussed the draft law “On Amendments and Addenda to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of the System of Protecting Children from Violence.” It was noted that despite ongoing efforts to safeguard children from various forms of violence, such offenses are not decreasing.

According to official data, cases of indecent acts against minors rose by 36 percent in the first eight months of 2025.

The draft law proposes several amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility aimed at strengthening the protection of minors. It also introduces clear rules for questioning children as victims or witnesses. Specifically, the duration of questioning is limited to one day, and it is stipulated that responsible guardians or representatives may be present during the process.

“The draft law plays an important role in protecting the rights and interests of our minors,” said faction member Sayyora Imomova.

Following the proposals raised during faction discussions, corresponding decisions were adopted.

It is worth noting that earlier, in the Kasbi district of Kashkadarya region, a young man born in 2002 was sentenced to four days of imprisonment for committing sexual acts against a minor girl. In Tashkent, a teacher who sexually abused a 10-year-old student was also sentenced to administrative detention.