Uzbekistan to launch electronic registry of extremist organizations and materials

An electronic registry of extremist organizations and materials will be created in Uzbekistan. The Senate approved a law aimed at improving legislation in the area of countering extremism.

The law provides for enhanced monitoring and risk assessment, as well as additional measures to prevent the dissemination of extremist ideas online and in the media.

At the same time, penalties for the first-time production, storage, or distribution of materials containing ideas of extremism, separatism, and fanaticism are being mitigated. Administrative rather than criminal liability will apply for the first such offense. Criminal penalties are provided for repeat offenses.

The law also clarifies the definition of extremism: the term "religious extremism" is replaced by the broader term "extremism." Furthermore, the procedure for recognizing organizations as extremist is being streamlined.

Specific provisions concern support for scientific research, protection for individuals reporting extremist activity, preventing the dissemination of such ideas online and in the media, and the reintegration of individuals who have committed extremist crimes. Earlier, the Supreme Court updated the list of banned online sources and materials related to religious extremism, terrorism, and radicalism. The list included approximately 1,900 items, including 886 sources on Telegram and 405 on Instagram.