In Uzbekistan, a serious reform of family legislation has begun, aimed at eradicating outdated customs and protecting the rights of women and children. The Ministry of Justice has presented a new draft law that significantly changes the rules for marriage and introduces stricter penalties for violations.
One of the main changes will be the increase in the number of relatives prohibited from marrying. The ban will extend to unions between close relatives up to the fourth degree, including uncles, aunts, and their nieces and nephews, as well as cousins, second cousins, and third cousins.
Exceptions will be made for cases where one of the future spouses is adopted, as well as for stepchildren, provided that the adopted person is not a relative in the first, second, third, or fourth degree of kinship.
The authorities intend to actively combat the practice of early marriages. In exceptional situations, such as pregnancy or the birth of a child, district khokims will be able to lower the marriage age limit, but not by more than 12 months.
Individuals who attempt to circumvent the law and enter into de facto marriage relationships with minors again (after an administrative warning) will face serious consequences. Fines may increase to 50–100 BRV, which amounts to 20.6 to 41.2 million sums. Offenders may also be required to perform community service for up to 300 hours or be sentenced to corrective labor for up to two years.
Under current legislation, fines range from 20 to 30 BRV (from 8.2 million to 12.3 million sums), as well as mandatory community service of up to 240 hours or corrective labor for up to one year.
Source: upl.uz
