Now, those who illegally teach Islam to children may face direct criminal prosecution

Uzbekistan plans to directly criminalize those who illegally teach religious education to minors. The law, which includes relevant changes, has been approved by senators.

The fact is that today, June 25, the eighth plenary session of the Senate considered a law that provides for penalties for illegally providing religious education to children.

The law introduces an additional clause to Article 229-2 of the Criminal Code.

According to it, teaching religious education to a minor without special religious education and without the permission of the central governing body of a religious organization, as well as teaching religious education to a minor privately, is punishable by a fine in the amount of 50 to 100 times the basic calculation amount, or up to 360 hours of compulsory community service, or up to 3 years of correctional labor, or restriction of liberty for a term of 1 to 3 years, or imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years.

The law was approved by senators and sent to the president for signature.

For your information, according to Article 229-2 of the current Criminal Code, teaching religious education without a special religious education and without the permission of the central governing body of a religious organization, as well as teaching religious education in a private manner, is punishable by criminal liability if committed after the imposition of an administrative penalty for such actions.

The provision of the newly introduced clause does not contain the phrase "committed after the imposition of an administrative penalty." The Code of Administrative Responsibility also does not provide for punishment for illegally providing religious education to minors. It follows that those who illegally provide religious education to minors can be directly held criminally liable.