Uzbekistan has officially formalized the precise scope of individuals endowed with rights of inviolability and legal immunity, alongside establishing strict procedural rules for conducting legal proceedings against them. The new legislation, signed by the country's leader on October 14, standardizes these protective guarantees and introduces criminal liability for any intentional breaches of such protected statuses.
According to the updated legal provisions, individuals possessing the status of inviolability include members of the Legislative Chamber and Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Human Rights Ombudsman, the Child Rights Ombudsman, judges, prosecutors, investigators, inquiry officers, defense attorneys, members of the Central Election Commission, and presidential candidates during their active candidacy period. Furthermore, management personnel of the Presidential Administration retain inviolability for a period of five years following their dismissal, specifically concerning actions or omissions unrelated to the direct execution of their official duties within the Administration.
Regarding the scope of immunity, this status is granted to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, officials of the Presidential Administration, and their respective family members. Specifically, administrative staff of the Presidential Administration enjoy immunity regarding decisions made or actions taken in the direct performance of their assigned duties, whereas parliamentarians hold immunity strictly concerning their voting records and public expressions of opinion.
The newly enacted legislation strictly prohibits the detention or forced escort of protected individuals to law enforcement agencies, with narrow exceptions prescribed under procedural codes when an individual is caught red-handed at a crime scene, permitting temporary holding for up to three hours. Moreover, initiating criminal prosecution against individuals possessing inviolability now requires formal, authorized consent from the relevant parliamentary chamber, the president, or other designated governing bodies.
Source: kun.uz