Translated with AI
On May 19, 2025, amendments to the Criminal Code came into force in Uzbekistan, increasing liability for crimes related to human trafficking. This was reported by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic.
According to the amendments to Article 135 of the Criminal Code ("Human trafficking"), the maximum punishment for serious forms of this crime has now been increased from 12 to 15 years of imprisonment. This applies to cases that resulted in the death of the victim or other serious consequences. The minimum term in these situations has also been increased – from 8 to 10 years.
In addition, stricter measures have been introduced for the use of forged documents or manipulation of documents proving the identity of the victim (confiscation, destruction, concealment). Now, such actions are punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison, whereas previously the maximum was 8 years.
Human trafficking remains a serious social problem in Uzbekistan. Such crimes often involve parents themselves, who decide to sell their children, usually newborns or preschoolers. The amounts requested can range from $600 to $18,000.
According to the head of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbaeva, the main reason for such crimes are difficult life circumstances: poverty, lack of housing, social pressure and the desire to hide out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
The tightening of legislation is aimed at strengthening the fight against human trafficking and protecting the most vulnerable segments of the population.
