Penalties for human trafficking are being tightened in Uzbekistan

    In focus 18 September 2024 837

    At the next plenary session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, deputies adopted a draft law "On amendments to article 135 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with tougher penalties for the crime of human trafficking."

    It was noted that in recent years, large-scale work has been carried out in the country aimed at radically improving the legal framework for protecting human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, combating human trafficking, and providing state support to victims of this crime.

    But despite this, crimes related to human trafficking are still being committed. Consequently, there are currently no appropriate sanctions for offenses related to violations of human rights and freedoms, in particular for crimes related to human trafficking.

    This draft law provides for amendments to the Criminal Code related to the strengthening of penalties for persons who have committed the crime of human trafficking. In particular, it is proposed to qualify as an aggravating circumstance the crime of human trafficking by a person who had previously committed an abduction, as well as committed against a pregnant woman.

    The adoption of the bill will serve to prevent human trafficking crimes and improve our country's position in international indices on the rights of women and children.