ISSN: 3030-3931, Impact factor: 7,241
Volume 8, issue1, Iyun 2025
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Original article
746
YOUTH CRIME IN UZBEKISTAN: CURRENT TRENDS AND THE NEED TO
REFORM
Pirimqulova Aziza Umid qizi
Second- year Law Student
National University of Uzbekistan
named after Mirzo Ulugbek
Abstract
: Juvenile delinquency, defined as illegal acts committed by minors, has become a
growing concern in Uzbekistan. The rise in youth crime reflects broader social challenges,
including lack of parental supervision and insufficient educational engagement. This article
examines the relevance of the issue, emphasizes the need for preventive measures, and explores
possible legal and social responses. It also considers international practices to offer insights for
improving juvenile justice in the country.
Keywords:
juvenile delinquency, preventive measures, justice, public safety, criminal behavior,
minors, punishments, social programs.
In recent years, juvenile crime has become one of the serious issues in Uzbekistan. The growing
number of crimes committed by minors, especially theft, extortion, and violence, shows that this
problem needs special attention. It is important because it affects both public safety and the
future of our young generation.
There are many reasons why minors get involved in crime. Some of the main causes include
problems in families, lack of proper care, poor living conditions, not attending school, and bad
influence from friends or the internet. These factors can lead teenagers to break the law. That is
why it is necessary to study this issue carefully and work on ways to prevent it.
Statistics confirm the urgency of the problem. In 2023 alone, nearly 3,600 minors aged 13 to 17
were registered for committing crimes. Compared to 2019, this number has increased by more
than 4.4 times. The most common crimes were theft, extortion, intentional bodily harm, and even
attempts at murder. The Fergana region recorded the highest number of juvenile offenders (700),
followed by Tashkent (545), Namangan (451), and Tashkent region (345). On the other hand, the
lowest figures were seen in Jizzakh (54), Navoi (62), and Khorezm (66).
A striking observation is that a large portion of juvenile offenders were students. This
emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen moral education, psychological support, and
extracurricular engagement within schools and colleges to prevent criminal behavior.
Conversely, a smaller proportion of juvenile offenders were neither studying nor employed, with
the Tashkent region showing the highest numbers in this category. These minors are particularly
vulnerable due to lack of guidance, purpose, and economic support.
These figures clearly demonstrate the increasing scale and geographical spread of juvenile crime,
making it a nationwide concern. That is why understanding the causes and developing preventive
measures is more important than ever.
ISSN: 3030-3931, Impact factor: 7,241
Volume 8, issue1, Iyun 2025
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Original article
747
According to the current legislation, criminal responsibility for minors is specifically regulated.
If a person commits a crime before reaching the age of eighteen, special types of punishment are
applied to them.
The punishments that can be applied to minors are defined in Article 81 of the Criminal Code. It
states that individuals who commit a crime before the age of eighteen can be sentenced to the
following main punishments:
Fine;
Compulsory community service;
Correctional labor;
Restriction of liberty;
Imprisonment.
Additionally, minors cannot be given additional punishments, considering their age and
psychological condition.
Imprisonment for minors is explained in Article 85 of the Criminal Code. According to this
article, if a person commits a crime between the ages of 14 and 16:
For a serious crime – they may be sentenced to up to 6 years,
For an especially serious crime – up to 10 years.
If the crime is committed between the ages of 16 and 18:
For a serious crime – up to 7 years,
For an especially serious crime – up to 10 years of imprisonment.
However, if the minor commits a crime that is not serious, has little social danger, or is
committed through negligence, they are not sentenced to imprisonment.
This shows that the law takes into account the age, level of development, living conditions, and
other personal factors when determining the punishment for minors.
In addition to legal measures, the issue of juvenile crime is also being addressed at the national
level. In February 2024, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasized the
importance of creating a kind of “immunity against crime” in children by raising them with a
sense of patriotism. This idea promotes the development of young people with positive values
and a mindset that stays away from crime.
As part of practical steps, the team of school inspector-psychologists was transferred from the
Ministry of Internal Affairs to the National Guard, which has now begun working directly with
students, monitoring school attendance, and identifying risks early. This helps prevent offences
before they happen.
The President also highlighted several important directions:
Organizing meaningful free time for children,
Guiding them toward learning a profession,
Improving the quality of education and upbringing,
ISSN: 3030-3931, Impact factor: 7,241
Volume 8, issue1, Iyun 2025
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Original article
748
And building strong cooperation between students, parents, local communities, and state
organizations.
Through these legal and preventive measures, the country aims to reduce juvenile crime and
guide young people onto the right path.
If we look at international law, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of the most
important agreements about children’s rights. Article 40 of this convention says that when a
child breaks the law, they should be treated in a way that respects their dignity and helps them
return to society. The goal should not be to punish them harshly, but to help them become better
people.
Also, UNICEF and other international organizations say that it’s better to use other ways instead
of putting young people in prison. These include:
Community service,
Counseling programs,
Keeping children out of the formal justice system and guiding them through education or
advice.
These methods help children understand their mistakes and give them a second chance to do
better.
For example, in Germany, only around 2% of young offenders go to prison. Most of them take
part in social programs, get training or receive psychological help. Because of this, the number
of young people committing crimes again is very low. This shows that helping and supporting
young people is more useful than punishing them.
In short, if we follow both international rules and good examples from other countries like
Germany, we can reduce youth crime and help more young people choose the right path.
REFERENCES:
1.
Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
2.
United Nations. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 40.
3.
A.K. Legal & Associates. (n.d.). Comparative Analysis Of Juvenile Justice Systems –
Germany section.
4.
https://www.gazeta.uz/oz/2024/02/26/youth-crime/
5.
https://uz.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyaga_yetmaganlar_javobgarligi
