In Uzbekistan, during a plenary session of the Legislative Chamber, lawmakers reviewed a package of amendments to the Administrative Responsibility Code and the Criminal Code, as announced by the lower house of parliament's press service.
"These amendments establish a legal basis for defining Uzbekistan as a secular state, as outlined in the Constitution" stated in announcement.
The proposed law aims to hold individuals accountable for propagating the superiority or inferiority of citizens based on their national, racial, ethnic, or religious backgrounds.
According to Gazeta.uz, lawmakers in the Legislative Chamber noted that although liability for inciting religious hatred is already established in criminal and administrative legislation, the declarative nature of these articles does not allow for a legal assessment and qualification of such actions and individuals involved.
Additionally, responsibility will be introduced for conducting a religious ceremony without a legally registered marriage.
Lawmakers emphasized that the number of religious marriages has been on the rise in Uzbekistan, resulting in an increase in cases of polygamy.
Furthermore, the promotion of polygamy and its supposed "benefits" through advertising, entertainment, and analytical materials has been gaining traction.
Consequently, according to the lower house of parliament's data, the number of children born out of wedlock has increased. Specifically, in 2022, 18,955 children were registered based on statements from single mothers. In 2021, this figure was 19,037 children, and in 2020, it was 16,564 children.
The proposed law introduced administrative liability for wearing clothing in public places that completely conceals an individual's identity. This measure is being taken for the effective implementation of information programs within the framework of the "Safe City" concept.
(This is related to frequent cases of individuals wearing clothing in Uzbekistan that completely covers their faces.)
Exemptions from liability include cases where a person is covered but still identifiable, based on medical recommendations or related to their work, as well as when special headgear is worn for traffic safety purposes.
The adoption of this bill is seen as serving the strengthening of interethnic harmony, religious tolerance, and the reliable protection of women's and children's rights, as well as enhancing efforts to maintain public order.
Earlier Daryo reported that in August, a video went viral on social media where a woman "gifted" a second wife to her husband. Later, the video's protagonist stated that it was created as a prank on her husband. Nevertheless, she was summoned to law enforcement agencies and underwent a preventive conversation. According to Uzbekistan's legislation, polygamy is a criminal offense.
The case related to this video was considered in a criminal court, where the woman expressed regret for her actions and requested the court to consider that she has two minors and is pregnant with her third child, seeking leniency in her punishment.
The court found her guilty of publicly inciting non-compliance with or violation of legislative acts.
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