Reforms to the system of investigating crimes against sexual freedom are being planned in Uzbekistan. Deputies have adopted and sent to the Senate a bill providing for the transfer of the authority to investigate such crimes to the prosecutor's office.

Speaking at the meeting, First Deputy Prosecutor General Bahriddin Valiyev emphasized that the number of crimes related to violence against women and children, especially sexual violence, remains high. According to him, in 2025, violence was committed against 221 women, and sexual acts and crimes against 227 individuals under the age of 16.

At the same time, it was noted that a number of problems persist in practice during the investigation of crimes against sexual freedom. In particular, in some cases, incorrect application of legal norms and failure to fully ensure the rights of victims are observed.

In this regard, the developed bill proposes to transfer the authority to investigate crimes against sexual freedom, youth, and morality to prosecutor's offices. It is also envisaged to expand the powers of prosecutor's offices in protecting children from violence, assigning them the tasks of detecting such crimes, conducting preliminary investigations, and strengthening control over the execution of sentences.

In addition, it is planned to improve the practice of investigating crimes committed by officials, especially those leading to human death.

Special attention is also paid in the bill to tightening the procedure for serving sentences. In particular, it is envisaged to introduce a rule prohibiting the transfer of persons who have committed crimes against minors under Articles 118 and 119 of the Criminal Code to settlement-colonies.

It is noted that these amendments will serve to strengthen the protection of the rights of women and children, improve the detection and investigation quality of sexual violence crimes, as well as ensure the inevitability of punishment.