Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the forty-fifth plenary meeting of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility” was discussed.

As you know, our country is implementing large-scale reforms aimed at protecting human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, strengthening constitutional, legal, legislative, institutional and practical guarantees in this regard.

Especially, it should be noted separately the implementation of systematic work to ensure the strength of families, the stability of their socio-spiritual environment, and improving the well-being of society.

However, recently there has been an increase in the number of religious marriages in the country, and as a result, cases of polygamy. Propaganda of polygamy and its “benefits” is also being spread through advertising, entertainment and analytical materials. Because of this, the number of children born out of wedlock has also increased.

If in 2020 the birth of 16,564 children was registered in the republic based on the application of a single mother, then in 2022 this figure reached 18,955 children.

According to the Constitution, the rights and freedoms specified in it can be limited only in accordance with the law and only to the extent necessary in order to protect the constitutional system, public health, public morality, the rights and freedoms of other persons, ensuring public safety and public order.

Therefore, taking into account the centuries-old history and cultural traditions of the people of Uzbekistan, the relevant departments developed the Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

By introducing amendments and additions to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Law envisages the establishment of administrative and criminal penalties for promoting the superiority or inferiority of citizens on national, racial, ethnic or religious grounds, performing a religious marriage ceremony between persons whose marriage is not registered in in accordance with the procedure established by law.

At the same time, the Law envisages administrative liability for promoting cohabitation with two or more wives and publicly denying the equality of women and men.

Also, in order to further increase the effectiveness of information programs introduced within the framework of the “Safe City” concept, a measure of administrative liability is being introduced for being in public places with a covered face to a degree that does not allow personal identification. Cases of exclusion of liability are also taken into account.

It was emphasized that the adoption of this Law serves to further strengthen interethnic harmony, religious tolerance, preserve secular values and reliable protection of women’s rights.

The law was approved by senators.