Uzbekistan enacts compensation law for witnesses and victims

In Uzbekistan, family members of a person who dies while participating in a criminal proceeding will receive 37.5 million soums in compensation. This provision is outlined in the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers on the “Procedure for Ensuring Social Protection of Victims, Witnesses, and Other Participants in Criminal Proceedings,” which was approved on February 21.

The regulation establishes the framework for lump-sum compensation payments aimed at ensuring social protection for victims, witnesses, and other individuals involved in criminal proceedings. The National Agency for Social Protection has been designated as the responsible body for providing these payments.

Social protection measures apply to individuals who suffer harm due to their participation in criminal proceedings. Compensation is provided in the following cases: death of a participant (benefits paid to family members), bodily injury leading to disability or other harm to health, non-disabling bodily injury or health impairment, and property damage sustained.

The lump-sum benefits are allocated based on the severity of the harm. In the case of death, 37.5 million soums (100 times the minimum wage) will be divided equally among family members. In the case of disability, compensation varies depending on the group classification: Group I disability – 30 million soums (80 times the minimum wage), Group II disability – 26.25 million soums (70 times the minimum wage), and Group III disability – 18.75 million soums (50 times the minimum wage).

For bodily injuries that do not cause disability, payments will be determined based on forensic medical evaluation. Severe injuries will be compensated with 13.125 million soums (35 times the minimum wage), moderate injuries with 13.125 million soums (35 times the minimum wage), and mild injuries that lead to short-term health deterioration with 9.375 million soums (25 times the minimum wage).

The decision on social protection measures must be implemented within 10 days of approval. The lump-sum benefit is tax-exempt, and no deductions are applied. This new regulation takes effect on April 1 of this year.