Uzbekistan has introduced stricter penalties for crimes related to human trafficking. While the maximum prison term under the relevant article of the Criminal Code previously stood at 12 years, it has now been increased to 15 years. The changes to the Criminal Code were introduced by a law dated May 19, according to the Ministry of Justice of the republic via its Telegram channel.
According to the document, amendments have been made to Article 135 (“Human Trafficking”) of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. In particular, changes affect the section outlining punishment for crimes resulting in the victim’s death or other serious consequences. Previously, such offenses were punishable by 8 to 12 years of imprisonment; now, the sentence ranges from 10 to 15 years in prison.
In addition, if a human trafficking crime is committed using forged documents or by confiscating, concealing, or destroying the victim’s identity documents, the punishment is now set at 5 to 10 years of imprisonment. Previously, under these provisions of Article 135, the maximum sentence was 8 years.
ℹ️ In Uzbekistan, those prosecuted for human trafficking are often parents who attempt to sell their children. Most commonly, the victims are newborns or children under school age. The amounts asked vary — some accept as little as $600, while others demand up to $18,000.
In 2020, Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (the parliament) of the republic, noted that in most cases, the reasons for selling infants include difficult family circumstances, financial hardship, a desire to conceal guilt, or an intent to use the proceeds to purchase housing.
