In Uzbekistan, it is planned to significantly strengthen liability for entering into marriage with minors. This is stipulated in a new draft law aimed at further enhancing the protection of the rights and freedoms of women and children.
According to the draft, strict restrictions are being introduced on marriages between close relatives. In particular, marriages between uncles and aunts and their nieces and nephews, as well as between cousins — the children of uncles and aunts — may be prohibited. Exceptions are allowed only in cases of adoption, provided that there is no actual blood relationship of the first, second, third, or fourth degree between the individuals entering into marriage.
At the same time, in certain cases — due to pregnancy or the birth of a child — the district or city mayor (hokim) at the place of state registration of the marriage may reduce the marriageable age by no more than one year.
The most significant changes concern penalties. If actual marital relations with a person who has not reached the legal marriage age are entered into again after an administrative penalty has already been applied for such an act, the fine may be significantly increased. Under the proposed norms, the fine would range from 50 to 100 base calculation units (from 20 million to 41 million soums), or compulsory community service from 240 to 300 hours, or corrective labor for up to two years may be imposed.
Under current legislation, considerably lighter penalties apply for this offense. Therefore, the draft law is regarded as an important step aimed at prioritizing the protection of children’s interests in society.
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