Uzbekistan has raised fines for marrying under the age of 18 and for conducting religious marriage ceremonies without prior registration at civil registry offices (ZAGS). The tougher penalties are set out in a law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on October 14.
Under amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, entering into a de facto marital relationship with a person below the legal marriage age is punishable by a fine of 10 to 15 base calculation units (BCU), or 4.4 million soums ($368) to 6.6 million soums ($552). Previously, the maximum penalty was 10 BCU.
Fines have also increased for marrying off a minor or marrying one. Before the new law, offenders could be fined up to 15 BCU. The range is now 20 to 25 BCU, or 8.8 million soums ($737) to 11 million soums ($921).
Finally, conducting a religious ceremony (nikah) without the marriage being registered at a civil registry office, including a union between people under 18, now carries a fine of 30 to 50 BCU, or 13.2 million soums ($1,105) to 22 million soums ($1,842). Previously, the fine did not exceed 30 BCU.
Since September 1 this year, 15% of any fine imposed for violating laws on the marriage age or marriage registration rules goes to the person who reported the offense.
Currently, the minimum marriage age in Uzbekistan is 18 for both men and women. In certain cases, the authorities may lower the threshold by one year. Valid reasons include, for example, pregnancy or the birth of a child.
According to official statistics, about 40% of marriages are between people aged 18 to 19.
