Uzbekistan approves landmark legislation criminalizing domestic violence

Uzbekistan approves landmark legislation criminalizing domestic violence
Kakhraman Nazar/Pexels, 2020.

12.04.2023

Fabiana Alves Castro

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

Uzbekistan has taken an important step in the protection of women`s rights, by passing legislation that criminalizes domestic violence and provides women and children with protection mechanisms. The amendments to Uzbekistan`s Criminal and Administrative Codes were unanimously adopted by the parliament on 6 April and will come into force after the President`s approval. (Amnesty International, 2023)

In 2021, nearly 36,000 cases of violence towards women were reported in Uzbekistan, demonstrating the relevance of the new legislation, since violence against women remains a grave concern. (Amnesty International, 2023) Some progress has already been made in the previous years to address the issue, as in 2019 Uzbekistan adopted a legal definition of violence against girls and women. (Dimovska, 2023)

Nonetheless, this is the first legislation in the Country that specifically targets domestic abuse. (Eurasianet, 2023) It follows the recommendation of the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, requesting measures “to ensure that domestic violence is specifically criminalized, can be prosecuted ex officio and is sanctioned with appropriate penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offence.” (Dimovska, 2023)

Under the new legislation, people found guilty of assaulting a current or former spouse, a cohabitant, or the parent of a shared child can be fined or face prison time. (Eurasianet, 2023) Furthermore, they establish liability for the harassment and stalking of women and make an early conditional release for sexual offenders impossible. (Amnesty International, 2023)

Heather McGill, Amnesty International’s Central Asia Researcher, celebrated the new legislation but stressed that progress should still be made. She declared: “The government of Uzbekistan has taken a vital step towards complying with its international human rights obligation to eradicate gender-based violence, yet much remains to be done to implement the new law, prevent domestic violence, and tackle patriarchal attitudes in society.” (Amnesty International, 2023)

Sources and further reading:

Amnesty International. (2023, April 6). Uzbekistan: Parliament passes long-overdue legislation criminalizing domestic violence. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/04/uzbekistan-parliament-passes-long-overdue-legislation-criminalizing-domestic-violence/

Dimovska, M. (2023, March 13). Gender-based violence does not go away on its own, now is the time to act. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan/blog/gender-based-violence-does-not-go-away-its-own-now-time-act

Eurasianet. (2023, April 7). Uzbekistan adopting landmark legislation on gender-based violence. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://eurasianet.org/uzbekistan-adopting-landmark-legislation-on-gender-based-violence

Pannier, B. (2023, April 9). Another Step In Legal Protection For Women And Children In Uzbekistan. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.rferl.org/a/majlis-pannier-uzbekistan-domestic-violence-law/32355981.html