Society news

The representatives of the "Tashkent City Water Supply" company provided an official comment regarding the situation that occurred in Chilonzor district, 19th neighborhood. This was reported by Upl.uz. This incident showed that the water supply for the entire residential building was stopped due to the actions of one of the company's employees. This situation attracted the attention of the public and was deemed illegal by the company's management. According to the information received, the territorial inspector of the water supply organization attempted to collect a long-term debt from the homeowner. The debtor was warned several times, and visits were made to the house, but there was no result. Documents provided by the company revealed that due to the technical characteristics of the water supply system in this building, it was not possible to cut off water only to the debtor's apartment. After this problem arose, the inspector decided on his own initiative to close the valve of the entire water pipeline. As a result, the water supply was interrupted in all apartments on the fourth floor, including those who had not paid their debts as well as those who had fulfilled their obligations on time. This measure caused rightful discontent among honest payers. The "Tashkent City Water Supply" company stated that based on the complaints from the residents, the illegal actions of the inspector were quickly eliminated and the water supply was fully restored. Disciplinary action was taken against the employee, and he was given a strict warning. Additionally, he was provided with further explanations regarding the prohibition of using methods that violate the rights of other consumers. This incident created an important precedent officially confirming the illegality of collective water cut-offs. The situation in Chilonzor should serve as a signal to reconsider the procedures for dealing with debtors in communal services. Issues of indebtedness must be resolved within the framework of the law, and the rights of other citizens must not be violated. At the same time, when measures are taken against one debtor, the rights of honest payers must be protected. In Tashkent, "smart" water meters are being introduced as part of the modernization program. These devices allow for remote reading of water indicators and specifically limit the water supply of the debtor subscriber. In the future, this technology will completely eliminate the need for collective cut-offs of water pipelines in apartment buildings.

The law enforcement agencies of Samarkand region have started an investigation based on a complaint filed by a citizen of the Russian Federation. This was reported by Upl.uz. The complaint alleges that the woman was subjected to sexual violence by a taxi driver. This incident has become known to the public through the "NeMolchi" project, raising serious questions about the investigation process and the protection of the victim's rights. According to documents, the woman arrived in Samarkand for treatment on July 5, 2025. On July 12, she used a taxi service to go to a local beach. According to the victim, after the driver brought her to the water, he assaulted her. The victim immediately reported to the nearby internal affairs department. There, she was asked to hand over her phone and was taken to another department. Ultimately, the woman stated that she was forced to sign a complaint that she had not written. A medical examination was conducted during the investigation. Doctors identified significant swelling and bodily injuries. A gynecological examination also confirmed the bodily injuries. According to the blood test, there were no signs of alcohol consumption in the woman. In the next stage, a face-to-face meeting was held with the suspected driver, during which he categorically denied the allegations. On July 14, the woman was taken from a private clinic wearing gloves and placed in a temporary detention facility. She spent one night there and was released afterward. From July 19 to 22, she underwent examination at a psychiatric hospital, but according to official information, the examination was not completed. On July 16, the woman contacted the consular department of the Russian Federation embassy in Tashkent. The diplomats advised her to write a formal complaint and wait for an official response. To date, the victim is demanding the appointment of a qualified lawyer and a thorough, fair investigation. She has stated that there is no communication with the investigative authorities. Official agencies have not yet commented. Civil society and human rights organizations are calling on officials to provide explanations regarding the situation soon. If instances of abuse of powers by law enforcement agencies are confirmed, those responsible should be held legally accountable. In recent years, legislation regarding sexual violence crimes has been strengthened in Uzbekistan. For example, recently, a person found guilty of committing a violent crime against a minor girl was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and the victim was provided with necessary assistance. In April 2023, a law was adopted in the country declaring domestic violence a crime and strengthening penalties for sexual violence. This law annulled the agreement between the parties in cases of violent crimes. This was an important step in reforming national legislation in the field of protecting the rights of women and children.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Vladivostok reported that on July 30, Uzbek citizens were not harmed by the strong earthquake that occurred in the Pacific region off the coast of Kamchatka, Russian Federation. This was reported by Upl.uz. The magnitude of the earthquake was 8.7, with its epicenter located 161 kilometers east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy at a depth of 32 kilometers. This earthquake is considered one of the strongest in the region since 1952. According to seismologists, subsequent artificial waves, i.e., aftershocks, may continue for a month. A tsunami warning has been issued for the coastal areas of Kamchatka and Sakhalin regions. The Consulate General advises Uzbek citizens in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin regions to maintain calm and strictly follow the instructions of local emergency services. In case of necessity, assistance can be requested through the following phone numbers of the Consulate General: +7 (423) 260-48-00 and +7 (902) 078-70-07. Citizens are urged to prioritize their safety.

A pedestrian who violated traffic rules was stopped by a DXX officer in the city of Ahangaran, Tashkent region. This was reported by Upl.uz. It has been revealed that this individual crossed the road outside the designated area, violating the rules. When the person's identity was determined through a special service tablet, it was found that he was born in 2003 and was wanted. This citizen has been charged under the article of "Theft" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and was placed on the wanted list for evading a conditional criminal sentence. The wanted individual was brought to the Ahangaran city police department. Now, it is anticipated that his sentence may be intensified, even leading to imprisonment. The court will make a final decision on the matter. The internal affairs agencies will continue to ensure public order and prevent violations of the law. Citizens are urged to strictly adhere to traffic rules.

Famous composer Sultonali Rahmatov, awarded the title of Honored Cultural Worker of the Republic of Uzbekistan, passed away at the age of 55. This was reported by Upl.uz. His death was a great loss for our country's music art. Sultonali Rahmatov was the author of works that have found a place in the hearts of many fans. In particular, songs like "Uzbekistan," "My Uzbekistan," and "Hello Uzbekistan" are among his most famous works. These musical pieces have become an integral part of Uzbekistan's cultural life, being performed regularly at official events, state holidays, and ceremonial concerts. The composer's creative legacy has been recognized by the public and has deeply resonated with listeners. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to the development of pop art and composition, and he had a noticeable impact on the advancement of Uzbekistan's music culture. Sultonali Rahmatov's work holds an important place in the history of our country's music art

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis decided to reject the new draft law aimed at fundamentally updating the regulatory and legal framework in the field of food safety, which has been in effect since 1997, on its first reading. This was reported by Upl.uz. The draft law was not adopted due to unresolved disputes arising around the proposed formulations for designating products as unsuitable for children. As the authors of the project emphasized, the initiative was aimed at updating a nearly thirty-year-old outdated law and aligning national legislation with international requirements and standards. This step is seen by experts as an important part of Uzbekistan's strategy to harmonize its regulatory environment with global norms. This is particularly important in the context of expanding export markets and the current trade relations, especially due to the focus on standardization issues within the framework of U.S. presidential policies. The draft law clearly delineated the powers of state bodies in food product control and detailed the main directions of state policy. It also proposed the introduction of a system to ensure the traceability of products during storage, transportation, and delivery to consumers. Special attention was given to participants in the food business – producers, processors, and distributors. Their rights and obligations were defined, and measures of responsibility for violations of the law were envisaged. A proposal was made to create an open and transparent electronic registry as a monitoring tool, which would allow real-time tracking of food product circulation processes. This measure is based on the requirements of the World Trade Organization and the experience of advanced countries. The draft law was aimed at reducing excessive bureaucratic procedures and promoting deregulation. If adopted, the mandatory registration of sanitary-epidemiological conclusions, veterinary certificates, and technical regulation agency certificates would be abolished. Producers would have the right to use international terms such as "best before" and "use by" in addition to the traditional term "shelf life." However, the labeling section became the main obstacle to the draft law. Deputies expressed strong criticism regarding the obligation to include the information "not recommended for minors" on product packaging and advertising. Ilhom Abdullayev, a member of the "National Revival" faction, emphasized that these formulations create legal ambiguity. He pointed out that the concept of "school age" is not clearly defined in existing legislation, which leads to various interpretations of the term. He also noted that the term "marketing materials" is very general and could apply to a wide range of media, creating legal uncertainty for businesses. As a result, the draft law did not receive the necessary majority of votes for adoption. Only 61 of the deputies present in the session supported it. At the end of the meeting, it was instructed that the document be thoroughly revised, taking into account the opinions and proposals expressed during the discussions. The terms "best before" and "use by" do not replace each other. "Use by" relates to product safety, and consuming the product after this date is considered dangerous. "Best before," on the other hand, relates to quality, indicating that the product may lose taste and texture characteristics after the specified date but remains safe for consumption. This type of labeling was first introduced in 1970.

According to the report from the Road Traffic Safety Department of the Internal Affairs Directorate of Samarkand region, a driver was found to be in possession of narcotic substances and a homemade device intended for their consumption. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 30 of this year, at approximately 01:10, traffic police officers stopped a blue Matiz vehicle on the M-39 highway at the 1085th kilometer in the Tayloq district of Samarkand region. While checking the driver's documents, he exhibited suspicious behavior. Subsequently, in the presence of witnesses, the driver and the vehicle were thoroughly inspected. During the inspection, a bag containing a green substance resembling marijuana was found in the driver's clothing pocket. Additionally, a homemade device intended for consuming narcotic substances was discovered in his vehicle. Relevant documents were prepared regarding this incident against the driver. He was detained and taken to the Tayloq district internal affairs department. Currently, investigative actions are underway.

The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that a human life was saved. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 29, 2024, at approximately 17:30, the Emergency Situations Department of Khorezm region received a report of a fire at a food establishment located on Navbahor Street in Urganch. Emergency services arrived at the scene within 4 minutes and began to extinguish the intense fire. While extinguishing the fire, one citizen was rescued. By around 18:01, the fire was fully under control and extinguished. No one was injured. The causes of the fire and the amount of material damage will be determined during the investigation. The building where the fire occurred, along with a large number of various organizations and business entities operating there, was largely saved from the fire

A person born in 1997, living in the Andijan district of Andijan region, was sentenced by the court as a supporter of an international terrorist organization. This was reported by Upl.uz. Since 2023, he has been under the influence of the propagandists of this terrorist organization, distributing their materials through his profiles on social networks. In addition, he planned to join this group and participate in armed conflicts. During 2023-2024, the criminal financially supported international terrorists, sending them 2,912 US dollars and 4.19 million soums. He also attempted to travel to Turkey twice through Kyrgyzstan to receive training in a militants' camp, but was unable to enter Syria. Later, he tried to cross into Afghanistan through Iran but was captured. The Andijan district court found him guilty under the first part of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan for "Training, leaving, or acting for the purpose of terrorist activities," the second part for "Financing terrorism," the third part for "Preparing, storing, distributing, or displaying materials threatening public safety and order," and the first part for "Creating, managing, and participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist, or other banned organizations." By court ruling, he was sentenced to eight years and six months of imprisonment.

An official statement was published by the press service of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights. This was reported by Upl.uz. The committee examined the car sales contracts made with the dealers of "UzAuto Motors" joint-stock company and identified clauses that were contrary to the legislation of Uzbekistan. Based on this, amendments were made to these contracts in collaboration with representatives of "UzAuto Motors". In particular, the refund period was reduced from 30 days to 10 days. The clause stating that the delivery period could be extended up to 45 days in case of temporary suspension of production was removed and transferred from the obligations section to the "force majeure" section. Additionally, the clause regarding the extension of the delivery period up to 120 days in case of re-contracting for the same car model within one year was completely removed from the contract. Furthermore, the seller's obligations in accordance with the laws of Uzbekistan are now clearly defined in the contract. These changes are aimed at protecting customer interests and increasing the transparency of contracts

The press service of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department provided information. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 30, around 10:00, a report was received by the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department about a fire at a synthetic rubber production plant located on Usta Shirin Street in the Almazar district. After six minutes, fire and rescue services quickly arrived at the scene and began extinguishing the fire. As a result of the collective and effective firefighting efforts, the fire was localized at 10:10, and completely extinguished by 10:13. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties. The causes of the fire and the amount of material damage are being determined. The leadership of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department and representatives of other relevant organizations arrived at the scene.

A tragic event occurred on July 26 in the Taylak district of Samarkand region. This was reported by Upl.uz. The famous singer Zeboyi Jahon (Zebiniso Nosirova) has passed away. The circumstances of the incident indicate the possibility of murder. This was reported in the Millar program of the National TV channel. According to preliminary information, the main suspect in the death of the 33-year-old woman is her husband. A conflict arose between the husband, who came to see his children, and the woman at her home. It is assumed that he strangled his wife with his hands. The woman died at the scene. The relatives of the deceased woman are very saddened by this incident. Zeboyi Jahon's brother first heard about the incident from his wife and then from his mother. He expressed his deep sorrow and dissatisfaction, emphasizing that his sister, being a mother of three children, does not deserve such a fate. The family is demanding the strictest punishment for the criminal. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, a 32-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of intentional murder. A criminal case has been initiated against him under part 1 of article 97 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Investigations are ongoing to clarify all the details of the incident and to study the full official status of the crime.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has reviewed proposals for reforming the military education system. This was reported by Upl.uz. The press service of the head of state reported on this matter. Based on advanced practices, the experiences of more than 20 countries have been studied, and a new national model has been developed. As a key element of this model, the University of Military Security and Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be established on the basis of the Academy of Armed Forces. The university will include all military educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense, including: five military institutes, a higher school for training sergeants, and a school (with institute status) for training specialists in aviation and drones. A centralized system will be created, which will strengthen the potential of the Armed Forces, implement dual education, and allow for the application of scientific developments in military practice. Among the new initiatives are: developing leadership skills in sergeants and teaching modern tactics; selecting cadets in 18 specialized areas from among students of civilian higher education institutions according to the "2+2" hybrid model; introducing a state scholarship from the Supreme Commander for the best cadets; awarding dual diplomas in military and civilian professions; as well as planning to train military educators abroad. The proposals have been approved, and the President has instructed to begin their implementation.

On July 29, 2025, a significant meeting took place in Tashkent between the Ombudsman of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Feruza Eshmatova, and the delegation led by the Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, Tatiana Moskalkova. This was reported by Upl.uz. This dialogue was assessed as an important step aimed at developing bilateral cooperation and strengthening the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to strengthening cooperation. The main focus was on urgent areas such as the prompt consideration of citizens' appeals, identifying and preventing torture, ensuring human rights in penal institutions, creating suitable conditions for persons with disabilities, and protecting the rights of labor migrants. Feruza Eshmatova provided detailed information to her Russian counterparts about the systemic reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan in the field of human rights. The legal foundations of the Ombudsman institution were emphasized as being strengthened, and it is being formed as an effective, independent, and citizen-oriented body. It was also noted that the expansion of the Ombudsman's activities, the introduction of electronic platforms and mobile applications significantly enhance the speed and capabilities of protecting human rights, contributing to the strengthening of the institution's reputation at both national and international levels. The foundations of cooperation between the Ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Russia were reinforced by a cooperation memorandum signed in 2019. Since then, representatives of Uzbekistan have regularly organized working visits to Russia, closely collaborating with the Russian Ombudsman to study the appeals of their compatriots and provide practical assistance to citizens in penal institutions. During the current meeting, the successful experience of jointly considering the appeals of citizens from both countries was particularly highlighted. In the second quarter of 2025, the Ombudsman of Uzbekistan received a total of 87 appeals from foreign Ombudsmen and citizens, of which 38 were related to the Russian Federation. Seven appeals were sent to the Russian Ombudsman regarding the protection of the interests of citizens living in Uzbekistan. The successful resolution of most appeals demonstrates the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation. Cooperation between the Ombudsman institutions is of great importance in addressing many issues faced by our compatriots. At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed their readiness to continue active dialogue and expand practical cooperation. It was planned to exchange experiences in the field of legal protection, organize joint educational programs, and deepen cooperation on specific issues. This will not only allow for the effective resolution of existing problems but also create new mechanisms for protecting citizens' rights and interests in the rapidly changing global environment. Press service of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As of January 1, 2025, the total number of bee colonies in all types of farms across the republic amounted to 742,500. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The distribution of bee colonies by types of farms is as follows: there are 113,200 in farms, 502,300 in dekhkan and subsidiary farms, as well as 127,000 bee colonies in organizations engaged in agricultural activities. These indicators reflect the significance of beekeeping in the agricultural sector of the republic and the pace of development in this field. The abundance of bee colonies contributes to increasing labor productivity in rural areas and boosting the production of natural products. Additionally, these figures are important information for policy and planning in the sector

It has been reported that illegal products have been identified in the city of Tashkent, according to the press service of the Tashkent city customs department. This was reported by Upl.uz. A special operational event was held in cooperation with the contraband fighting department of the Tashkent city customs department and the National Security Service. During the event, the home of M.Y., a resident of the Uchtepa district, was inspected. He was suspected of selling contraband products. During the inspection of the house, many products were found, including 166 packets of coffee intended for weight loss, 27 packets of tea, and 2,749 various intimate products, totaling 10 types of goods. The total value of the identified and confiscated products amounted to 160 million soums. The confiscated contraband products were added to the materials of the criminal case in accordance with the law. Currently, investigative actions are being carried out regarding this case.

The leader of the National Revival political party, Alisher Qodirov, initiated a serious social debate and made a series of statements. This was reported by Upl.uz. His sharp criticism was triggered by a court decision related to the death of a two-year-old child at a private preschool institution in Tashkent. This tragic incident attracted widespread public attention, and during the trial, systematic abuse of the child was identified and confirmed by evidence. According to the investigation materials, the kindergarten teacher and methodologist regularly inflicted physical punishments on the young child, hitting them with hands and feet, as well as throwing the child onto the floors and beds. One such beating led to the child losing consciousness, and he died in the hospital within two days. The court found the teacher guilty and sentenced her to six years of imprisonment. This very verdict caught Alisher Qodirov's attention. The deputy spoke about the special norm in Article 50 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to this article, courts may reduce the sentence for women, shortening the maximum term by up to two-thirds, regardless of the severity of the crime. Alisher Qodirov wrote, "Pay attention: according to this article, regardless of how serious the crime is, even for premeditated murder committed repeatedly, the sentence is reduced for women. Is this humanity or does it encourage criminality? Perhaps this is precisely the reason for the increase in criminality among women." Based on these thoughts, Alisher Qodirov proposed that the National Revival Party discuss the appropriateness of retaining this norm in the Criminal Code. Leading legal experts and specialists in criminal law will participate in the discussion. The deputy also drew attention to the systemic problems in the preschool education sector. Considering the high physical and psycho-emotional load on the employees in this field, he proposed to lower the retirement age for educators to 50. Additionally, a proposal was made to restrict retirees from directly working with young children. "This is necessary to ensure the safety of these children, accelerate the renewal in the system, and implement modern approaches in education and upbringing," he concluded.

A conviction was read in Uzbekistan regarding a criminal case of domestic violence. This was reported by Upl.uz. A man was deprived of his liberty for 12 years for raping his daughter. This horrific crime was uncovered due to the vigilance of social service workers. The crime emerged during the process of registering the family in the list of those in need of assistance. Currently, the girl is in complete safety and is receiving all necessary help, according to the Social Protection Agency. According to the press service of the National Social Protection Agency, the accused systematically abused his daughter. This situation was identified when the family was registered as needing assistance. The social worker recommended the family undergo a medical examination as part of the services being provided. This examination revealed truths that the girl had previously been unable to express. This led to the initiation of an official investigation and the accountability of the perpetrator. Agency representatives temporarily placed the girl in a family children's home to ensure her safety. After her condition and situation were fully assessed, the girl was returned to her mother's custody. She is currently under permanent protection and undergoing a recovery process. They are receiving medical, psychological, and social assistance. According to the court's ruling on July 24, the man was found guilty under Article 118, Part 3, clauses "a," "b," and "e" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This article provides for responsibility for the rape of a close relative under the age of 18 and for crimes leading to serious consequences. The court sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment. The National Social Protection Agency states that it continues to strengthen accountability for crimes against children. The agency urges citizens to report such cases to "Human" centers or the 1146 hotline. This will further strengthen the system for protecting children in society

From January to June 2025, a total of 145.4 million passengers were transported by the metro. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared to the same period last year, the number of passengers increased by 14.2 million or 10.8 percent. With the development of metro infrastructure and the introduction of new technologies, the number of passengers is expected to increase further. This will further strengthen the metro as the most efficient and environmentally friendly public transport within the city. In the future, with improvements in the quality of metro services and increased convenience, the population's use of public transport will rise. Therefore, the development of the metro is of great importance in ensuring the sustainability of the urban transport system.

The governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, signed a decision banning migrants from engaging in taxi services within the city. This was reported by Upl.uz. This restriction will be in effect until the end of this year. Companies employing foreign citizens on a patent basis were given a three-month adaptation period. During this period, they must terminate all labor relations with them. Representatives of the authorities plan to assess the social and economic impact of this measure on city life. Based on the results, the issue of extending or lifting this restriction will be considered in 2026. This decision aims to improve the city's infrastructure and the well-being of its residents. It was also adopted to regulate the legal labor market. It is important for all individuals and companies operating in the taxi sector to comply with the new rules.