The President opposed marriages that do not take age into account

In Uzbekistan, the issue of preventing early marriage has returned to the agenda. The President has instructed the development of a draft law to strengthen penalties for such cases. This was announced live on “Uzbekistan 24” TV channel by Deputy Prosecutor General Murodbek Mahmudov, as reported by uzreport.uz.

According to the information, the current legislation provides for a fine of 5 to 10 times the minimum wage for entering de facto marital relations with a person under the marriageable age. Also, a fine of 7 to 15 times the minimum wage is imposed for marrying off such a minor or organizing their official marriage.

However, these sanctions have not been effective in practice, as these violations continue to occur in society. Therefore, it has been proposed to supplement administrative liability with criminal liability.

Under the new draft law, if a person enters de facto relations with a minor girl, they may be fined 20 to 30 minimum wages, or subjected to up to 240 hours of community service, or up to 1 year of correctional labor.

Moreover, if a person marries or arranges the marriage of a minor girl, they may face a fine of 30 to 50 minimum wages, up to 240 hours of community service, or up to 2 years of correctional labor.

These updates are primarily aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of children and eliminating factors that hinder their physical and moral development. Early marriage negatively affects not only their health, but also their education and ability to find a proper place in society.

Experts note that in rural areas, attitudes favoring "early marriage" still persist. Parents are marrying off their daughters before they complete school, which negatively impacts the level of education in the country and women's participation in public life.

Additionally, such cases often stem from minors' low legal awareness and inability to protect their own interests. In some cases, parents claim they are preparing their children for independent life, but this leads to tragic outcomes.

The President’s instruction, addressing this painful issue, aims to reevaluate legislation and strengthen punishments to achieve real impact.

According to officials, it is essential not only to impose punishment but also to instill moral standards, legal awareness, and a sense of responsibility toward children in society.

The next stage involves presenting the draft for public discussion and shaping it based on widespread public input. The President’s directive is seen as an important step in strengthening the family institution, safeguarding youth rights, and protecting women.

Henceforth, the expression “I married off my daughter” will not only provoke social condemnation but also result in legal repercussions. After all, every child is the nation's future, and the nation's future is reflected in how we care for our children. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!