Uzbekistan strengthens penalties for crimes against children

A primary focus of the updated legislation is the introduction of administrative liability for the possession of pornographic materials involving minors for the purpose of distribution. Under the new rules, the mere act of holding such materials with intent to spread them is now a punishable offense. Fines for this violation range from 20 to 100 BCA (Base Calculating Amount), which currently equates to between UZS 8.2 million and UZS 41.2 million.

The legal reforms also address digital safety by toughening the penalties for indecent acts committed against persons under the age of 16 via the internet. Criminal liability will now apply to individuals who repeat such offenses after having been previously held administratively liable. Sanctions for these crimes include fines ranging from 100 to 600 BCA, up to three years of correctional labor, or a prison sentence of up to three years. For more severe crimes involving the production, import, or distribution of such materials, or the direct involvement of minors, the law now mandates imprisonment for a term of five to seven years.

Beyond punitive measures, the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code establish strict protections for minors during legal investigations. The presence of a legal representative is now mandatory in all proceedings involving children. Furthermore, the authorities have set clear, age-appropriate limits on the duration of interrogations to prevent psychological strain on minors.

For children under the age of seven, an interrogation session cannot exceed 30 minutes, with a daily maximum of one hour. For those aged 7–14, the limit is set at one hour per session and two hours per day. For minors between 14 and 18 years of age, the duration is capped at two hours per session and a total of four hours per day.