The draft legislation, published for public discussion, proposes adding Article 223-1, titled “Organization of illegal migration”, to the Criminal Code.
Under the proposal, organizing illegal migration for profit or economic gain in violation of established procedures would be punishable by three to five years of restricted liberty or imprisonment.
The provision would also cover organizing, managing or facilitating activities aimed at illegally bringing foreign citizens, stateless persons or Uzbek citizens into Uzbekistan, moving them across the country’s state border, taking them abroad or illegally transiting them through Uzbekistan to another country. Providing transport or accommodation for such purposes would also fall under the proposed offence.
More serious penalties of five to ten years in prison would apply if the crime were committed on a large scale, by a group of individuals, by officials, repeatedly, by a dangerous repeat offender, or by an organized group or in its interests.
Offences committed on an especially large scale, in a manner dangerous to life or health, or resulting in other serious consequences would carry prison sentences of ten to 15 years.
According to the draft, the proposed amendments are intended to bring Uzbekistan’s legislation more closely in line with modern international standards and advanced foreign practices, while ensuring accountability for crimes related to illegal migration.
Public discussion of the draft will continue until September 8.
