Dilnoza Azizova, a member of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party faction, has proposed to toughen penalties for individuals who commit sexual violence against children.
According to the deputy, the recent tragedy in Namangan is not merely the depravity of one pedophile but a reflection of how the system has for years excused such crimes with the mild phrase “corrective labor.”
“You cannot play with a child’s destiny. This is not just a crime — it is a rebellion against humanity. When pedophiles reduce their sentence under the excuse of ‘good behavior’ and freely walk the streets, it shows the state’s attitude toward the child. The law must be strict not only on paper but also in practice,” Azizova wrote.
In her view, such criminals should not be granted forgiveness or leniency. Although amendments made to the Criminal Code in 2024 prohibit replacing punishment with a lighter one for sexual violence against minors, Azizova stressed that this is still insufficient.
“To truly protect children, the punishment must be even harsher. My proposal is clear — those who commit sexual violence against children must receive life imprisonment by law,” she said.
The deputy emphasized that the phrase “A child is the nation’s future” must not remain a mere slogan. “If we continue to show leniency to such vile people, we are destroying our own future,” she added.
Her statement sparked wide public discussion. Many supported the deputy’s initiative, demanding revisions to the criminal code and stronger protection for children.
Thus, Dilnoza Azizova’s firm stance resonated beyond one issue — it became a call to awaken society’s conscience and to end indifference toward children’s fate.
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