Propaganda of polygamy to be punished with 15 days' arrest in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Administrative punishment, which is stipulated by amendments to legislation signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has been introduced in Uzbekistan for propagandizing polygamy, the Uzbek Justice Ministry's press service said on Wednesday.

Mirziyoyev has signed a law amending the Criminal Code and the Code on Administrative Offences, the press service said. The document takes effect on the day it is officially published.

"According to the changes, propaganda of living with two or more wives, spreading such views, ideas and calls, as well as encouraging such actions leads to a fine in the amount of 15 to 30 basic calculation units (from $405 to $810) or up to 15 days of administrative arrest," it said.

The amendments stipulate similar fines for carrying out religious marriage rituals that are not registered according to the law.

According to the information service for the Senate (the upper chamber of the Uzbek parliament), these measures have become necessary due to the increase in the number of marriages established using religious rituals, which increases the number of cases of polygamy. In addition, the propaganda of polygamy is increasing. At the same time, polygamy is banned in Uzbekistan and is punishable by up to three years in prison.

MPs believe the absence of the registration of a marriage with civil registry bodies in accordance with established procedures causes problems associated with establishing fatherhood, and decisions on child support and inherited estates. As a result, citizens, especially women, lose trust in the state as a guarantor of the protection of their rights.