Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The 55th plenary session of the Senate reviewed the Law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aimed at Further Strengthening the Protection of Children’s Rights."

During the discussion, it was noted that in recent years, there has been an increase in cases where parents have sent minors for illegal religious education.

According to studies conducted by law enforcement agencies, between 2021 and 2023, 2,457 administrative offenses related to illegal religious instruction were identified. Of these, 1,479 were organized in "hujras" (informal religious teaching centers), with 60% of the participants being minors.

No one can guarantee that a child will not become a victim of extremist religious ideas as a result of receiving religious education in unregistered, informal centers or from individuals engaged in illegal religious activities. Over the past three years, the number of minors held accountable for crimes related to religious extremism and terrorism has increased fourfold.

Moreover, during such illegal instruction, children are subjected to various serious crimes. Restrictions on freedom of movement, confinement in buildings and facilities that do not meet sanitary standards, physical suffering, moral pressure, and even sexual abuse are evident examples.

The issue of religious education in Uzbekistan is clearly defined by existing legislation. Specifically, the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" and previous laws establish the legal foundation for professional religious education. Private religious education is illegal.

It is emphasized that the discussed law is designed to prevent the aforementioned negative situations, increase the responsibility of parents and guardians in fulfilling their duties related to the education and upbringing of children, and ensure the guarantees of children’s right to education.

The Law introduces amendments and additions to the Law "On Guarantees of Children’s Rights" and the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility, establishing penalties for parents or guardians who involve children in illegal religious education and for failing to comply with these legal requirements.

Additionally, the Law clearly reinforces the right of parents or guardians to provide religious and moral education to their children according to their own beliefs. This provision is based on Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Law further strengthens parental responsibility in these processes, addressing the fact that a young child would not enter an illegal "hujra" on their own, which is the focus of this regulation.

Senators emphasized that the adoption of this Law aims to ensure children’s right to education and their harmonious development as individuals, prevent their victimization by serious crimes and extremist religious ideas.

The Law was approved by the senators.