On February 12, the President of Uzbekistan signed into law the amendments and addenda to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes and the Administrative Responsibility Code, criminalizing a number of crimes against children. The document was published by Xalq So’zi newspaper.
Criminal liability has been established for having sexual intercourse with a person aged between 16 and 18, knowingly for the guilty person under 18 years of age, by providing him with material values or property benefits. As noted earlier, this amendment to the Criminal Code (new section 128-1) aims to combat the sexual exploitation of children.
A person who has committed this crime may be sentenced community works up to 300 hours or correctional labor up to 2 years, or house arrest up to 2 years, or imprisonment up to 2 years.
In addition, criminal liability has been introduced for persuading minors to participate in illegal public associations and religious organizations, movements and sects. This crime is punishable by from 3 to 5 year house arrest.
Administrative forcing of minors to work in any form has become a criminal offense. Previously, criminal liability could be brought only after a repeated offence and the application of an administrative penalty. Now, for this crime, one can get a fine from 150 to 200 base values (BV=223000 soums, or US$ 21) or deprivation of a certain right up to 3 years or correctional labor up to 3 years.
The Law takes effect immediately.
