Uzbekistan Introduces Life Imprisonment for Rape of Children Under 14
Uzbekistan has introduced penalties of 15 to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment for rape and certain other serious sexual offenses against children under 14. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a law eliminating the statute of limitations for prosecuting these crimes. The amendments affect five codes and six laws and expand legal protections for children against physical and psychological violence, including abuse by relatives and educational staff. For intentional crimes resulting in a child's death, suspended sentences and early release on parole will be prohibited. “Violence against a young child can never be tolerated, and punishment must be inevitable and uncompromising,” Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration, wrote on her Telegram channel. Children who have experienced or witnessed violence will be entitled to free state-funded legal assistance from the moment they become involved in legal proceedings. If a parent, adoptive parent, guardian, or another relative is suspected of the crime, a representative of the guardianship authorities must also protect the child's interests during the investigation and trial. In schools and other educational institutions, staff responsible for teaching or caring for children can be dismissed if held legally responsible for violence against a child. The legislation was approved following a high-profile case in the Namangan region, where reports emerged of alleged sexual violence against a five-year-old girl at a state-run kindergarten in the Uchqurgan district. The case sparked public outrage and debate over appropriate punishment for those responsible. Mirziyoyeva previously stated that responsibility should extend to both the direct perpetrators and officials whose negligence may have allowed the alleged assault to take place. According to the Oliy Majlis, Uzbekistan's parliament, 445 criminal cases involving the rape of children under 14 were opened in the country between 2022 and 2025. The amendments passed the lower house of parliament on September 30, following a first reading on September 29, and were approved by the Senate on October 2.
