On children’s rights in Uzbekistan – at a conference in Vienna
An International Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons, titled “The Rise of Forced Criminality: Addressing a Security Blind Spot”, is taking place in Vienna.
At the event organized by the OSCE, participants are discussing the risks of involvement in criminal activities that threaten global and public security. It was noted that children, especially those in vulnerable situations, are most often the victims of such crimes. At the same time, they are frequently perceived not as victims but as offenders, which, in turn, creates conditions for the impunity of organized criminal groups.
The Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Children’s Rights, Surayyo Rakhmonova, informed participants about measures underway in the country to protect children’s rights. It was emphasized that Uzbekistan is implementing strict, systematic measures to prevent children’s involvement in criminal activities that exploit their vulnerability. A National Strategy to Combat Drug Abuse and Drug-Related Crime has been adopted. Under this strategy, the involvement of minors in the use of potent substances, as well as any drug-related crimes committed with a child’s participation, are classified as serious offenses.
Criminal liability has been established for the distribution of child pornography. For serious sexual offenses against minors, penalties of up to life imprisonment are envisaged.
The conference is attended by representatives of the 57 OSCE participating States, as well as by partner international and non-governmental non-profit organizations, civil society representatives, experts, and specialists in the field.
Particular attention is being paid to the study and exchange of best practices for protecting children’s rights.
Norgul Abduraimova, UzA
