TASHKENT, October 2. /Dunyo IA/.  At today’s plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, the Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of the System for Protecting Children from All Forms of Violence” was considered and approved, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In particular, the upper chamber of parliament approved the introduction of life imprisonment for sexual offenses against children under the age of 14.

Law introduces a penalty of up to 25 years’ imprisonment or life imprisonment for the rape of a person under the age of 14, as well as for the forcible satisfaction of a sexual need in an unnatural form.

Furthermore, statutes of limitations for criminal prosecution and the execution of sentences shall not apply to especially grave crimes committed against the sexual inviolability of children.

Conditional sentencing (probation) and parole (early conditional release) from punishment are entirely prohibited for intentional crimes resulting in the death of a child.

A state-funded system is being introduced to provide free, qualified legal assistance to children who have fallen victim to or witnessed sexual violence, starting from the very first minutes of their involvement in procedural actions.

Mandatory video recording of the interrogation process of minors who have fallen victim to violence is being established, along with a special procedure for conducting cross-examinations between a child victim of a crime against sexual freedom and a suspect, accused, or defendant, stipulating that a cross-examination between a child victim and the accused may be conducted solely on the basis of a ruling by an investigator, prosecutor, or a court order.

If the violence has been committed by family members or close relatives, the participation of a representative from the guardianship and trusteeship body in the procedural processes becomes mandatory.

Senators also approved an amendment to the Labour Code. Specifically, the commission of violence against a child by an employee of an educational organization, who is tasked with the upbringing and education of a child in educational and upbringing institutions, shall constitute grounds for the termination of the employment contract at the initiative of the employer. In the future, such individuals shall be prohibited from working with children.

At the same time, measures of administrative liability are being strengthened for parental neglect of children, intentional failure to satisfy their basic needs, violation of the legislation on the marriageable age, as well as the failure to protect children from information harmful to their health.