Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Law "On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with further improvement of the system of reliable protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of women and children" was signed by the President of Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the amendments and additions introduced by the Law to the Criminal Code:

- Responsibility has been established for forcing a person under the age of 18, a close relative, an ex-wife (ex-spouse), a person living together on the basis of a single household, or a person having a common child to have sexual intercourse.

This crime is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.

Responsibility for family (domestic) violence has been introduced. The following actions committed in relation to a spouse (husband), ex-wife (ex-spouse), a person living together on the basis of a single household or a person with a common child, committed after the application of an administrative penalty for the same actions, are punishable by a fine of 20 to 30 sizes of basic estimated value or compulsory public works from 160 to 300 hours or correctional labor up to 2 years:

- obstruction in the exercise of the right to property, education, health care and (or) labor;

- intentional damage to property and personal belongings;

- humiliation of honor and dignity, intimidation, isolation from close relatives.

Infliction of intentional bodily harm of medium gravity, committed against the above persons, entailing aggravating circumstances, in particular:

- a long-term health disorder (lasting more than 21 days, but not more than 4 months, or a significant permanent loss of general ability to work from 10 to 33 percent), may entail a penalty of imprisonment from 2 to 3 years.

Measures of liability for sexual intercourse with minors have been tightened. Including:

- sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 - shall be punished with imprisonment from 3 to 5 years;

- engaging in sexual intercourse with a person aged 16 to 18 by providing material values or property or other benefits - shall be punished by imprisonment from 2 to 4 years.

Also, responsibility is established for the disclosure of information that infringes on the honor and dignity of a person and reflects the intimate aspects of a person’s life.

This crime, committed under aggravating circumstances, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 years.