Senate approves life imprisonment for sexual offenses against children under 14
By law, a long-term prison sentence of up to 25 years or life imprisonment is being introduced for individuals who commit sexual violence against children under the age of 14.
The Senate approved life imprisonment for sexual offenses committed against children under 14 years of age
At the plenary session held in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis on October 2, the law "On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the improvement of the system of protecting children from all forms of violence" was reviewed and approved.
"In our country, ensuring the rights and freedoms of children, protecting them from harassment and violence is one of the highest priorities of state policy. However, the analysis of practice requires ensuring the inevitability of punishment for cases of sexual and physical violence committed against minors and further strengthening procedural protection mechanisms," the Senate press service said in a statement.
Senators specifically emphasized that this law will serve to put an end to any form of violence against children in society, ensure the inevitability of punishment for the committed act, and help every child grow up in a safe and fair environment.
Now, for the document to enter into force, it must be signed by the president.
According to the law, a long-term imprisonment of up to 25 years or life imprisonment is being introduced for raping a person under the age of 14 and for satisfying sexual desire in an unnatural way using force against them.
Also, the statute of limitations for prosecution and execution of sentences will not apply to extremely grave crimes committed against the sexual inviolability of children.
Conditional sentencing and parole from punishment are completely prohibited for intentional crimes that resulted in the death of a child.
A system of providing free qualified legal assistance at the state's expense is being introduced for children who are victims of or witnesses to sexual violence, starting from the very first moments they are involved in procedural actions.
It is established that the process of interrogating minors who have suffered from violence will be recorded via video, confrontations between a child victim of a crime against sexual freedom and a suspect, accused, or defendant will be conducted according to a special procedure, and confrontations between the victim child and the accused will be conducted only on the basis of a decision of an investigator, prosecutor, or a court ruling.