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Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan will strengthen safeguards for children who have suffered violence during pre-trial investigations and court proceedings.
The measures are предусмотрены in Presidential Resolution No. PP-375 dated 14 October 2026, aimed at improving the child social protection system.
The document provides for the establishment of the Najot Children’s Centre in Samarkand under the Centre for Child Support and Social Integration.
The centre will operate under the international Barnahus model, which organises necessary procedures with the child’s best interests in mind.
From 20 October 2026, the centre will conduct procedural actions involving children who have suffered crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability, as well as offences aimed at humiliating a person’s honour and dignity. The measures will apply to victims in cases handled in the Samarkand region.
The centre will be able to conduct interviews, collect samples for expert examination, carry out forensic examinations and identification procedures, and undertake other necessary investigative actions.
Work with children will be conducted on the basis of a psychologist’s assessment and with the participation of a specially trained prosecutor.
All procedural actions must be audio- and video-recorded, with the recordings recognised as evidence in criminal proceedings. This will help prevent children from being summoned to court repeatedly.
The resolution also prohibits direct encounters between a child who has suffered violence and a suspect or accused person, their relatives or defence lawyers unless the child’s legal representative is present.
Based on the experience in Samarkand, the authorities will consider introducing the Barnahus model in other regions of the country.
From 1 January 2027, a pool of lawyers specially trained to work with children is to be established. Children involved in criminal proceedings as victims or witnesses will receive legal assistance at the state’s expense.
The resolution also provides for integrating the dedicated 1246 hotline, which protects children from all forms of violence and provides social, psychological and legal services, with the unified 112 dispatch service.
Data exchange will be organised through the Digital Government system’s interagency integration platform.
Anvar Umarov
Anvar Umarov is the founder and editor-in-chief of UzDaily, a leading business and news publication covering Uzbekistan and Central Asia. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he has also worked as a PR manager for both state and private organizations, bringing a broad perspective on media, communications, and public affairs to his editorial leadership.
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