Uzbekistan criminalizes unauthorized religious education for minors

At its session on June 25, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis approved legislation aimed at strengthening responsibility for illegal religious education of minors. The law has now been sent to the President for consideration.

Notably, the law also includes provisions to simplify the state registration process for intellectual property objects.

Bahrom Abdullaev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Education, and Healthcare, emphasized that the country is undertaking systematic efforts to ensure reliable protection of children’s rights and legal interests, while creating conditions for their comprehensive development.

“Particular importance is given to the formation of children’s legal consciousness and culture, as well as to creating all conditions for them to receive quality education that promotes their physical, intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth,” he highlighted.

At the same time, Abdullaev noted a recent increase in cases of illegal religious education of minors in the country. Therefore, an amendment has been introduced to Article 229-2 of the Criminal Code (Violation of the procedure for teaching religious doctrines) aimed at strengthening children’s right to education.

Under the new provision, teaching religious doctrine to minors by a person who lacks special religious education and has not obtained permission from the central governing body of the religious organization, as well as teaching religious doctrine privately to minors, will be punishable by:

• A fine ranging from 50 to 100 base calculation units (currently from 18.75 million to 37.5 million UZS);
• Or compulsory community service of up to 360 hours;
• Or corrective labor for up to 3 years;
• Or restriction of liberty from 1 to 3 years;
• Or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Currently, teaching religious doctrines without special religious education and permission (not only concerning minors) entails administrative liability under Article 241 of the Administrative Responsibility Code, punishable by a fine of 5 to 10 base calculation units (1.87 million to 3.75 million UZS) or arrest for up to 15 days.

For repeat offenses, criminal penalties include fines from 50 to 100 base calculation units, compulsory community service up to 360 hours, corrective labor up to 3 years, restriction of liberty from 1 to 3 years, or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Thus, the new regulation introduces immediate criminal responsibility for illegal religious education of minors.

In February, a law came into force in Uzbekistan establishing liability for parents illegally involving their children in religious education. Penalties range from fines of 5 base calculation units to 15-day arrests (for repeat violations). The law prohibits transferring children to unlicensed religious organizations.