Child Protection Law Signed: Up to 25 Years or Life Imprisonment for Sexual Abuse of Children Under 14

The President of Uzbekistan has signed a law that toughens liability for violence against children. Sexual abuse of a child under 14 now carries up to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment, and the statute of limitations for such crimes is abolished.

The Legislative Chamber passed the law on 30 September and the Senate approved it on 2 October 2026. The full text was published on the President's website on 14 October. It amends the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Executive and Labour Codes, as well as the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

Changes to criminal liability

• Rape and violent sexual acts against children under 14 are punishable by up to 25 years' imprisonment or life imprisonment (amendments to Part 4 of Articles 118 and 119 of the Criminal Code).
• No statute of limitations will apply to these crimes.
• Conditional sentences and early parole are excluded for people who intentionally commit crimes that cause a child's death.
• Liability is tightened for improper performance of parental duties, sexual harassment, violating the marriage age, and exposing children to information harmful to their health.

Protecting the child in proceedings

• Underage victims and witnesses are guaranteed free legal aid from their first participation in procedural actions.
• The questioning of an underage victim is video-recorded to avoid repeated trauma.
• A confrontation between a child victim and a suspect is held only on the order of an inquiry officer, investigator or prosecutor, or a court ruling.
• If a parent, guardian or other relative committed the crime, a representative of the guardianship authority takes part at every stage.

School and kindergarten staff

The Labour Code gains a new ground for termination: an employee of an educational organisation being held liable for violence against a child. During the Senate debate it was reported that 122 cases of violence against children were identified in kindergartens and schools in 2025.

What this means in practice. Parents and teachers should know that a child victim can count on a free lawyer and a gentler questioning procedure. Educational organisations should take the new dismissal ground into account. Check the exact entry-into-force date and the law's number in the official text on the President's website or on lex.uz.

Photo: Enric, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)