Uzbekistan has introduced criminal penalties of up to eight years in prison for unlawfully detaining people entitled to immunity, conducting investigative actions against them or violating other protections, under a new law.
The law, On Amendments and Supplements to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan, establishes special procedures for handling individuals with immunity and inviolability, according to an official legal information channel.
Those entitled to immunity include members of the Legislative Chamber and Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Human Rights Ombudsman, the Children's Rights Ombudsman, judges, prosecutors, investigators, inquiry officers, lawyers, members of the Central Election Commission and presidential candidates, among others.
The legislation also grants immunity to the president, officials of the Presidential Administration and their family members. Senior officials of the Presidential Administration will retain immunity for five years after leaving office for actions or omissions unrelated to their duties in the administration.
Under the new rules, individuals entitled to immunity cannot be detained or forcibly brought to law enforcement agencies, except for detention of up to three hours in cases specified in Article 221, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Criminal prosecution of such individuals requires consent from the relevant parliamentary chamber, the president or another authorized body. For senior officials of the Presidential Administration, written presidential consent must be obtained following a proposal from the Prosecutor General.
Evidence obtained in violation of immunity and inviolability requirements will be deemed inadmissible and excluded from case materials. Administrative penalties cannot be imposed on individuals entitled to immunity through court proceedings, while their administrative liability will be handled under special procedures established by law.
Telephone interception and the monitoring of correspondence of persons entitled to privacy protections may be carried out only under a court order or with written permission from the Prosecutor General.
The law establishes the following criminal penalties for violations of immunity rights:
Three to five years: Restriction of liberty or imprisonment for knowingly and unlawfully detaining a protected person, forcibly bringing them to law enforcement agencies, conducting investigative actions against them, or ordering or instructing others to do so.
Five to eight years: Imprisonment if the offenses are repeated, committed by a group acting in advance, involve violence or threats of violence, involve the falsification of evidence, or result in the arrest or prosecution of a criminal.
The legislation also stipulates that damage caused by decisions, actions or omissions of officials and senior staff of the Presidential Administration in connection with their official duties will be compensated from the State Budget. The right of recourse against these officials will not apply.
The law enters into force on the date of its official publication.
Earlier, a bill was submitted to the Senate proposing to lower the minimum age for judges and people's councilors to 30.