Uzbekistan has initiated 445 criminal cases over the period 2022−2025 concerning sexual violence against children under the age of 14. The figures were announced on September 29 during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis by Gulrukh Agzamova, Chair of the Committee on Democratic Institutions and Civil Society Development. According to her, 85 cases were opened in 2022, 108 in 2023, 129 in 2024, and 123 in 2025. These data were presented during the discussion of a draft law aimed at strengthening the protection of children from violence.
“Today we are not simply discussing another draft law. We are talking about the fate of our children, their safety, their faith in tomorrow, and most importantly, how much the value of a child is prioritized in our society,” Agzamova said. She also highlighted that children are not always able to tell adults about the violence they have endured. “Some are afraid, some are ashamed, some do not realize it, and some believe that no one will hear them. Sometimes we, adults, fail to recognize a child’s signals for help in time. […] A child’s silence does not mean consent. And their inability to protect themselves further increases society’s obligation to protect them,” she stated.
The draft law, in particular, provides for tougher penalties for especially grave sexual crimes against children, including the introduction of life imprisonment for sexual violence against a child under 14. It also proposes abolishing statutes of limitations for crimes against the sexual inviolability of children, strengthening the procedural protection of minors during investigation and court proceedings, and providing free legal aid to affected children. Following the discussion, deputies adopted the document in its first reading.
Agzamova emphasized that a recent incident in the Namangan region once again demonstrated the need to toughen criminal liability for grave sexual violence against children. “The horrific incident in Namangan, I believe, left no one indifferent. We, the initiating deputies, have once again become convinced of the need to toughen criminal liability for persons who commit grave sexual violence against children,” she said. The preparation of these amendments was stipulated by a presidential decree (No. PF-22) dated February 16, 2026, on the implementation of the Uzbekistan — 2030 strategy. The document tasked the creation of an effective system to counter violence against women and children, including establishing penalties up to life imprisonment for sexual crimes committed against children under 14. The deadline for fulfilling this task was set for April 1, 2026. The draft law providing for the relevant changes was adopted by the Legislative Chamber in its first reading on September 29 — nearly six months after the established deadline.
According to data from the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, in 2023, law enforcement agencies received 56 reports of lewd acts against minors. In 2024, the number of such reports was 129, and in 2025, it reached 141. In the first half of 2026, another 44 such reports were recorded. At the same time, analysis has revealed instances of incorrect qualification of offenses. According to party data, over the past three years, acts that may contain signs of a crime were concealed and formalized as administrative offenses in 44 cases. These data were cited during the discussion of a draft law aimed at clearly distinguishing administrative and criminal liability for acts of a sexual nature against minors and at eliminating the practice of qualifying acts with signs of a crime as lewd acts under the Code of Administrative Responsibility.
The discussions on tightening legislation are taking place against the backdrop of a high-profile case of sexual violence against a 5-year-old girl attending a state kindergarten in the Uchkurgan district of the Namangan region. On September 12, the district police investigation department opened a criminal case under Part 4 of Article 118 of the Criminal Code (sexual assault against a person under fourteen). A kindergarten employee, K. M., was detained on suspicion of committing the crime, and a preventive measure in the form of detention was applied. According to the girl’s mother, the alleged violence may have been committed repeatedly. She said that after the incident, the child became very fearful and is even afraid to walk past the kindergarten.
On September 27, Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration, responded to the incident. According to her, not only those guilty of the crime but also those who “allowed it, showed negligence, and failed to protect the child” must be punished. Saida Mirziyoyeva also announced that proposals are being prepared to amend legislation with the aim of “maximally increasing responsibility” for such crimes.
Source: www.gazeta.uz