On the content and significance of adopted laws

The adopted laws should be aimed at further strengthening and comprehensively protecting the personal rights and freedoms of citizens enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the political rights of citizens, and the economic and social rights of citizens.

Among the adopted laws, special attention is being paid to the protection of women's rights and freedoms.

In particular, the national legislative framework and generally recognized norms of international law are being strengthened. For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the laws "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men" and "On Protection of Women from Violence and Harassment" were adopted on September 2, 2019.

These legal documents also regulate relations in the field of protecting women from harassment and violence in everyday life, at work, in educational institutions, and elsewhere. It guarantees the protection of individuals who have experienced violence and coercion, and the establishment of an environment conducive to any form of violence and coercion against women in society.

Also, in 2019, the institution of a "protection order" was introduced for women who have suffered from violence. A protection order is a document granting state protection to women who have suffered from harassment and violence. In connection with the further improvement of the system of reliable protection of the rights and legitimate interests of women and children, the Law on Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been implemented.

This document explains the existence of a number of problems in current law enforcement practice related to the reliable protection of women's rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests. Specifically, it states that the validity period (30 days) of the state protection order for a victim of harassment and violence has not been sufficient to ensure the adequate protection of women's rights and legitimate interests. The adopted law stipulates that the term of a protection order against harassment and violence against women can now be extended by criminal courts for up to one year.

Many women who received protection orders were repeatedly subjected to violence. The collected materials on the application for extension of the validity period of the protection order shall be considered in a closed court session within 24 hours from the date of receipt by the court in the presence of the victim and the person who committed the violence. The judge reviews the case materials and makes a decision based on the case results. This decision shall indicate information on the time and place of the decision to extend the validity of the protection order, the name of the court that issued the decision, the surname, name, and patronymic of the judge, the parties, and other persons participating in the case, as well as the type of occupation and place of residence, and the circumstances that served as the basis for the decision to extend the validity of the protection order.

Establishing these terms in the law for up to one year will provide women with sufficient psychological, social, and legal assistance, ensure employment, and contribute to a reduction in offenses.

Judge of the Nukus Inter-District Administrative Court K.R.Babanazarov.