️ Nodira Hakimova, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Judicial System Reform in Uzbekistan, commented in an interview with the “Uzbekistan 24” television channel on plans to increase the administrative detention term for indecent acts. She stated that the current five-day administrative detention is causing significant public dissatisfaction, as it is considered insufficient and overly formal as a punishment.

️ Under a presidential decree aimed at strengthening the protection of women’s and children’s rights, responsible agencies have been tasked with preparing amendments to legislation. These amendments are intended to enhance accountability for a range of sexual crimes and offenses, including indecent acts. Bahodir Sheranov, Head of the General Prosecutor’s Office Department, emphasized that cases of indecent acts against minors are reviewed by district prosecutors before being sent to court, which serves to ensure the inevitability of punishment for crimes against minors.

️ Currently in Uzbekistan, indecent acts against children are in some cases classified not as sexual violence but as administrative offenses. This situation was previously highlighted by the anti-violence project Nemolchi.uz. Activists have pointed out that individuals who commit indecent acts against minors often escape proportionate punishment, as investigators and judges frequently treat this criminal offense as an administrative violation, contrary to the law.

️ Illustrating issues in the penalty system, it was previously reported that a man who suffocated a colleague with a pillow in a hotel during a business trip for refusing to engage in sexual intercourse received only a 5-day administrative detention under the article on indecent acts. The Tashkent courts’ press service described this as “the maximum penalty provided for in the sanction of this article.” Meanwhile, a man who exposed his genitals to a woman on the street was sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention under articles for indecent acts, petty hooliganism, and disobedience to internal affairs officers, highlighting the disproportionality of punishments.

Source: www.gazeta.uz