Uzbekistan toughens penalties for sexual abuse of children under 14

Uzbekistan has toughened punishment for crimes against children, including sexual abuse of minors under 14 years old, according to Qazinform News Agency. Under the new legislation, people convicted of raping a child under 14 can face up to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, wrote on Telegram that everyone who causes harm and suffering to a child will be held accountable, from employees of educational institutions to relatives who commit violence. She said there will be no leniency for any crime resulting in the death of a child, and that no statute of limitations will apply to such crimes.

Previously, rape of a person under 14 was punishable by 15 to 20 years of imprisonment. The report also notes that Kazakhstan was expected to adopt a unified program to prevent domestic abuse, and that Kyrgyzstan enacted legislation in October 2025 toughening penalties for domestic violence and is considering a life sentence for femicide.