According to the Presidential Decree “On additional organizational and legal measures to strengthen the protection of the rights of women and children, as well as to prevent cases of harassment and violence against them”, a mobile application ensuring the possibility of immediately reporting cases of harassment and violence will, with their consent, be installed on the phones of women victims who have received a protection order.
From January 1, 2027, the investigation and consideration of crimes related to harassment and violence against women and children will generally be carried out by investigators and judges who have undergone special training.
Stricter penalties are envisaged for committing crimes against the sexual freedom of minors. Persons found guilty of such crimes will not be transferred to correctional institutions with a more lenient detention regime. Life imprisonment will be imposed as the maximum punishment for these acts.
The Decree introduces new terms into Uzbekistan’s legislation based on international experience. Relevant organizations have been instructed to establish liability for:
- Femicide – the intentional killing of women based on gender;
- Stalking – the unlawful persecution of a person against their will;
- Cyberviolence – violence committed on the Internet or through social networks.
The “Mahalla of Seven” will undergo special training on preventing domestic violence. In addition, by 2030, all individuals entering into marriage will take free courses on preparation for family life.
Mohigul Qosimova, UzA