Uzbekistan has enacted a comprehensive legislative package signed by the country's leadership, substantially revising the legal framework concerning counter-extremism efforts. The new regulations introduce significant amendments to the Criminal Code, the Administrative Responsibility Code, and the foundational 2018 counter-extremism law. The measures were formally adopted following months of parliamentary review and publication.
Under the updated provisions, the definitions of "extremism" and "extremist activity" have been consolidated and explicitly expanded. Actions such as attempting to violently alter the constitutional order, threatening territorial integrity, establishing illegal armed groups, and distributing materials that jeopardize public safety are now strictly categorized under extremist offenses. Furthermore, references specifying "religious" extremism have been generalized across several statutes to broaden the legal scope.
A notable enforcement update includes the addition of Article 184-5 to the Administrative Responsibility Code, which penalizes first-time infractions involving the storage or preparation of extremist, separatist, or fundamentalist materials. Violators face substantial financial penalties or administrative detention of up to 15 days, while subsequent offenses transition into severe criminal liabilities under the Criminal Code, carrying extensive prison sentences depending on the participation level.
Additionally, the legislation establishes an official electronic registry of extremist organizations and materials maintained by the Ministry of Justice, ensuring public transparency. Individuals convicted of extremism-related crimes face strict civic limitations, including bans on conducting journalistic, educational, or psychological assistance activities until their criminal record is formally cleared or expunged.
Source: www.gazeta.uz