Guidance

Uzbekistan: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 26 January 2024

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.

This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to:

• seek medical advice and attention
• report to local police
• engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas

For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.

First steps

It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you in coming to a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:

• contact the public ambulance on 103 or police on 102. Please note that the operators may not speak English and you may need help from an Uzbek/Russian speaker
• contact the Ministry of the Interior hotline on violence against women 1259
• contact the helpline of the Republican Centre for the Rehabilitation and Adaptation of victims of Violence on 1146 (if you do not speak Russian or Uzbek you will need somebody’s assistance to make a call)
• contact the Tashkent City Internal Affairs Department on +998 71 2323040, +998 71 2324050 (if you do not speak Russian or Uzbek you will need somebody’s assistance to make a call)
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British Embassy Tashkent. Our telephone number is +998781201500. Embassy staff will be empathetic, and non-judgmental, and can provide information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell them will be treated in the strictest confidence. They can contact your family or friends for you if you wish.

Read further information on the British Embassy page.

If you want to report the incident to the police in Uzbekistan

If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. If you are in an area where there is a British embassy or consulate, they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone 24/7.

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the nearest British embassy or consulate on +99878 1201500 and they can offer you consular support.

If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained.

Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence. If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

You can report the crime by calling 102 and you can request the police to come and take measures against the offender if required. You can ask to be referred to you by the district inspector for women’s affairs (they are in every district and these women are trained to work in such situations). Anonymous reports over the phone will be registered too but cannot be used to initiate a criminal investigation.

Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

Insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable

You do not have to report the rape and sexual assault to the police, but if you want the incident to be investigated you must report it to the nearest police station. The duty police officer must accept reports of crime 24/7 regardless of where the crime took place and when.

Reporting crimes to the police in Uzbekistan can be a complex and time-consuming process, you should be prepared to spend several hours in the police station. You may find the process of reporting the assault difficult at times and quite different from what you would expect of UK police procedures.

You can be criticised if drugs or alcohol were involved. The consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription is criminally punishable. Homosexuality is a criminal offence and is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Female officers with specialised training in supporting victims of sexual assault may be present at the police station, however this may not always be possible. It is very rare that local police officers speak English. An interpreter can be provided by the local police, but this may take long time to arrange and there is no guarantee of quality of translation. In order to save time, you may consider having your own interpreter with you when you visit the police station.

FInd a local translator or interpreter

Once an initial verbal report is made to the police, you will be required to give a full statement:

• not all police stations will have private rooms for taking statement
• interviews will normally take place in the office of the duty investigators - there are likely to be several people working in one office
• you will need to sign your statement - make sure you understand what you are signing. You may want to consider having a lawyer or someone else accompany you
• insist the police give you a copy of the report, and request a translation in English. This may not be readily available in Uzbekistan
• get a copy of your written statement describing the incident signed by the police officer when you submit the original. Keep this copy

The police officer will register the crime report and should issue you a paper slip with a reference number of the case.

Ask the police officer to write down the phone number of the department that will be dealing with your case so you can contact them later for updates.

The case will be cascaded to other departments, therefore, you may have to make a statement several times and sometimes visit the incident site together with the police officers.

You will be asked to give details of any witnesses or persons you spoke to after the assault. You will likely be asked for the clothes you were wearing at the time of the incident, your mobile phone (as it could contain material relevant to the investigation) as well as other items which the perpetrator may have touched.

The police will send you to the local hospital or forensic examination centre if you haven’t sought medical assistance in the first instance.

You will be required to undergo a series of tests, including external and internal examinations, swabs and STI tests. The results of the examination will be reflected in a separate protocol and photographic evidence of face and body injuries will be taken.

You will be asked to show formal identification, such as your passport. You do not have to surrender your passport whilst the investigation is carried out. The police will take a copy of your passport and full contact details.

Consular staff can accompany you to the police station if you want them to and where possible. We cannot provide interpretation and might not be allowed to stay with you during a police interview. We can also give you a list of lawyers.

If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Uzbekistan

The British embassy or consulate will be able to help you. This includes helping you to contact your insurance company, your family, making arrangements to travel back to the UK and/or provide you with information on local support in the UK. They can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators.

If you are travelling with one, you can also report the incident to your tour operator and ask them for assistance. If you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital. If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you.

It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated and important evidence or witnesses may be lost.

If you do decide not to report the crime to the police, you will still be able to get medical attention.

If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

The support available to you, and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime. In many countries, you need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.

If you are staying in the country where the crime took place, you should report the crime in that country. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

If you do not report the crime in the country where it happened and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police.

The UK police should send the information you provide to the country where the crime happened. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action.

You can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation abroad. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to police in the country where it happened. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Reporting the crime in Uzbekistan - what happens next?

Insist you get a document from the police confirming that you have reported the crime, with a police reference number and the police contact details so that you are able to follow up with them later. Request a translation in English if you need one.

During the interview with the police, you will be asked questions to help them conduct their investigations. This could include making a statement about the incident and giving a description of the perpetrator(s).

Evidence such as the clothes and underwear you were wearing and other items that the offender has touched will be retained. It will help the police to gather evidence and build a criminal case. Electronic equipment such as mobile phones and tablets will also be taken temporarily to secure data that might serve as evidence in the investigations and in a court case. Devices will then be returned to you.

The police will take you to a hospital for a medical and forensic examination, with your consent.

The Uzbek police will not normally inform the UK police about the assault, and they will not usually undertake police checks on you as the victim.

The medical examination – what to expect

Hospitals in Uzbekistan usually specialise in specific areas of health. They generally refer patients to facilities with the appropriate specialists. There are several medical clinics, commonly used by foreigners, that offer medical support to victims of rape and sexual assault. Support includes examination of external injuries, and internal examination with swabs and STD testing. Photos of severe external injuries will be taken for investigative purposes if the case is reported to the local police.

Most medical practices will automatically report rape or sexual assault cases to the police.

If you prefer to be examined by a female, the hospital will try to arrange this, but it cannot be guaranteed.

Ask to be advised about what treatment is recommended in your particular case to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, if applicable. The British Embassy Tashkent can talk to local healthcare providers on your behalf to check a clinic’s policy in this matter before you attend the clinic.

If you are in Tashkent and would like one of our consular team can accompany you to the hospital or medical centre. In the interests of patient confidentiality, we will wait in reception during your medical examination. If you are travelling with a local tour operator, they may also be able to accompany you, but this is not guaranteed.

Treatment

Hospital medical staff can give you advice on HIV PEP medication (‘Post-exposure prophylaxis’, a treatment that can prevent HIV infection) should you or they feel it is necessary. The doctors will provide PEP prescription and a medical referral to the Republican HIV Centre for a further check. The HIV Centre provides PEP free of charge, but the patient will have to meet the cost for the testing.

HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28-day treatment on return to the UK.

Emergency contraception can be obtained from a pharmacy, though you may require a prescription and it is not free. Abortion is available in Uzbekistan for a gestational period up to 12 weeks for non-medical reasons. This period can be extended if there are medical complications.

Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.

Emergency medical assistance is free of charge in Uzbekistan, any subsequent treatment will be charged in accordance with hospitals price list. Most hospitals accept payment by card, though some local hospitals may accept only cash payments in local currency.

If you have had medication administered overseas, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you let your local health provider know when you return home.

Police investigations in Uzbekistan – what to expect

The police will take you to the scene of the crime to get more details of the incident. You may be interviewed by the police at the same time as any suspects so there is a risk you will meet in corridors or waiting areas of the building.

You will be asked to identify a suspect at the police station. Many police stations do not have one-way mirrors installed so it is likely that you will be asked to make an identification face to face. You will also be required to attend a face-to-face questioning with the suspect. It is therefore recommended to have a legal representative with you.

Criminal investigations in Uzbekistan tend to progress very slowly. If someone is arrested under suspicion of criminal offence, they may be detained without charges for up to 48 hours. Detention may be extended by an additional forty-eight hours by the court. After that the suspect will be released unless, and depending on the circumstances, the court sanctions arrest of the suspect for the duration of investigation. In some cases, mainly when the abuser is the victim’s partner or spouse, the police can issue a restraining order up to 30 days.

You are entitled to get updates on your case. However, having legal representation from the early stages of a investigation helps ensure that your rights will be respected during initial interviews with police and further investigation stages.

The lawyer can speak before the prosecutor on behalf of the victim, but personal presence may still be required. The lawyer will be able to request access to the case materials such as case notes, expertise results etc. The British embassy can provide you the list of local English-speaking lawyers. Some lawyers can offer pro-bono services, or you can request a state appointed lawyer. Your presence in country may be required throughout the investigation.

If you leave the country this may trigger the closure of the case.

Court procedures – what to expect

You will generally be expected to testify in person in courts in Uzbekistan, including in cases of rape and sexual assault. You will be asked for graphic details of the incident, which you may find uncomfortable. In addition, In some cases, a physical examination may be required to establish whether sexual intercourse took place. In Uzbek law the absence of consent is considered as rape, however in practice the absence of torn clothes or physical injury may be seen as consent. All cases will be investigated.

According to Uzbek law, all those involved in the case have the right to receive details of the case. In practice, access to any related documents may be difficult without a lawyer. The most reliable way of ensuring that you receive updates is to appoint a lawyer. You can always consult with a lawyer to clarify the details of case.

Find a list of English-speaking lawyers.

If the case is referred for further investigation, you might have to give an additional statement.

If you wish, it is possible to drop charges once they are filed by providing a written statement and explaining the reasons behind your decision. The charge of rape is not an automatic state prosecution in Uzbekistan and when the victim drops charges the criminal case is often terminated by the authorities.

It is illegal to make false statements or accusations. Therefore, the suspect may press counter charges against you claiming that you have made false accusations, including during the investigation stage. The court will investigate these claims and decide on how to proceed.

Courts can order perpetrators to pay compensation to victims of rape and sexual violence including for moral damage.

Additional Legal information

How you case gets to trial

Once you have made a police report and have given evidence, it will be for the police and public prosecutor to investigate the crime, to build a case and take it to court. It will be for the court to decide whether the trial will go ahead, or if further investigations are necessary for this to happen.

Trial procedures

After the investigation is completed, the participants are notified that the case will go to court (or that the case is dismissed). The court appoints the date of consideration within seven to ten days - this should be no later than ten days from the date of the judge’s ruling on taking the case to trial.

Make a written request as soon as possible if you want to be informed about if and when there is going to be a trial. You could do this when making your police report. If you do not, you may only be informed that there is a trial when you are summoned as a witness.

The language in the court will be Uzbek, however, if you need to testify, an interpreter will be provided for you.

If your testimony is required in court, you will receive a court summons to attend the trial proceedings. If you do not attend, the court will proceed in your absence as long as they have enough evidence and are confident they can protect your rights and legitimate interests. Whether or not you are able to testify from the UK via video link will depend on the court.

If you have to attend the trial abroad, then the arrangements for travel and accommodation must be made by yourself. If you do not have the funds for travel and/or accommodation, you should contact the court.

The investigations of rape and sexual assault cases often take longer than it is expected due to the various complications and can take several months before reaching the trial stage. The investigator with clearance from the public prosecutor may request to:

• extend the period of the investigation, e.g., when further expertise is required
• file the case, if there are insufficient grounds or evidence to prosecute
• order a trial

After the sentence has been passed, the defendant has the right to at least one appeal within twenty days from the date of pronouncement of the verdict, and for convicted, acquitted, victims - within the same period from the day they were handed a copy of the verdict. In case of disagreement with the decision of the appellate instance, the interested persons have the right to file a cassation complaint within a year after the entry into force of the earlier judgment.

Hiring a lawyer

A lawyer can represent you and ensure your rights in a rape or sexual assault case. Lawyers who specialise in representing rape and sexual assault victims are mainly found in larger cities. A list of English-speaking lawyers available on our website. There, a list of translators and interpreters can also be found.

Communication

During the police investigations, you will primarily communicate with the police. Later, during the trial, you will also be communicating with other parties to the proceedings. At all stages of the case, you will be able to communicate with your lawyer, if you have appointed one.

If you do not reside in Uzbekistan and have appointed a lawyer, the lawyer’s address will be sufficient to receive correspondence. Otherwise, the authorities will need your home address in the UK.

You can ask the police, public prosecutor’s office and the court to be updated on case developments. It may also be helpful to appoint a lawyer to aid this communication.

Legal aid

The victim is entitled to legal assistance. Some lawyers can offer pro-bono services, or you can request a state appointed lawyer. In many cases of rape and sexual assault your lawyer’s fee will be covered by the state. It’s important to ask the lawyer during the initial consultations to clarify this. When choosing your lawyer, you should make sure that they are specialized in criminal law.

Sentencing

Judges decide whether sentences are weighted in favour of punishment or rehabilitation.

Depending on the case, the sentence for a convicted perpetrator can be a fine or imprisonment.

If the perpetrator is found not guilty, he will be acquitted.

Compensation

Courts can order perpetrators to pay compensation to victims of rape and sexual violence including for moral damage.

There is no state-funded compensation scheme to cover physical or psychological injuries suffered as a result of a violent crime. However, there are public foundations in Tashkent and in the regions who can offer psychological support and offer shelter.

When you return home to the UK

You may want to let your GP, or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live.

England	NHS Choices website, or search the internet for ‘NHS SARC’
Scotland	Archway SARC: phone 0141 211 8175
Wales	New Pathways SARC: phone 01685 379 310; Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Northern Ireland	Rowan SARC Northern Ireland: phone 0800 389 4424

If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should ask your local health provider to test you. You should do this even if you have been tested in the country that the assault took place in.

Support organisations in Uzbekistan

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you. Some of these organisations can offer psychological or legal support, some will be able to provide shelter. Assistance may not be available in English, so you will need help of Russian or Uzbek speaker or a translator.

Nemolchi.uz: information project against violence in Uzbekistan

E-mail: nemolchiorg@gmail.com

Free psychological help for victims of violence (RUS/UZB)

Free legal aid for victims of violence (RUS/UZB)

Get anonymous help and support

This is an online portal for victims of crime with advice on first steps if you have become a victim of crime, with links to other support organisations that can help you and with information on protection, psychological help, legal help and social advice.

NGO “Nihol” Help Line

By calling from 8 am to 8 pm on the following numbers, women can get a free consultation on crime prevention in the family.

Psychologist: +998 97 1023373

Medical consultant: +998 90 188-43-88

Operator: +998 97 1023343

Legal advisor: +998 97 1023313

Consultation with psychologist (Telegram): @psixologikmaslahat_GT_bot

NGO Civil Initiatives Support Center

It is a non-profit organization of Karakalpakstan, Andijan, Fergana, Tashkent regions and Tashkent city.

124 Big Mirabad street

Tel: +99897 7220102

Operators: +99897 1878713; +99897 1878712

Legal advisor: +998 97 1372424; +998 97 1372626

Psychologists: @Ayollar_himoyasi_bot (Telegram), +998 97 1372727; +998 97 1878715

e-mail: cisc.2004@yandex.ru

Bukhara Regional Center for Social Protection of the Family “Oydin Nur”

The mission of the Bukhara Regional Center for Social and Legal Protection of the Family ‘’Oydin Nur’’ is to provide shelter and support to victims of domestic violence (women and their children) in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan.

Rugangaron 31
200100

Tel: +998 65 2246511; phone number of the NGO director: +998978300830

e-mail: oydin.nur7@gmail.com

Rahmdillik center in Samarkand

NGO, service for social rehabilitation of woman in difficult life situations. Rahmdillik offers the following services:

• permanent housing and food
• accommodations for mother and their children
• professional medical and psychological consultations
• legal counselling

Bibisora ​​Oripova, director of Rahmdillik	+998915390846
Nigora Izbasarova, social worker and case manager	+998915342481
Zhamilya Oripova, gynaecologist	+998973839899
Sanzhar Khushvaktov, general practitioner	+998915226812
Hilola Khabibova, rehabilitation and reintegration trainer, psychologist	+998933556970
Manzura Kurbanova, rehabilitation and reintegration trainer	+998905052726
Nurmurod Fayzullaev, legal advisor	+998937214346

e-mail: rahmdillik@gmail.com

NGO Republican Social Information Center “Istiqbolli Avlod”

Charitable non–profit organization for combating human trafficking and other forms of violence.

Mirabad district
4- 22 Katta-Mirobod street
Tashkent
Tel: +99895 143 9494

e-mail: iarepublic.uz@gmail.com

Jizzakh	+998 91 1979494
Nukus	+998 95 6059494
Urgench	+998 99 5099494
Gulistan	+998 95 2909494
Samarkand	+998 99 5299494
Karshi	+998 95 4799494
Bukhara	+998 95 5149494
Navoi	+998 99 6199494
Andijan	+998 95 2019494
Termez	+998 95 0699494
Namangan	+998 95 3019494
Fergana	+998 99 7989494

Jizzakh Regional Center for Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Victims of Violence.

Provides support to victims of rape or sexual assault and offers a crisis hotline.

24/7 helpline in Jizzakh region for survivors of violence:

Tel: +998 72 2229401

Legal advisor: +998 97 7842206

Psychologist: +998 95 5795383

NGO Madad

If you need free legal assistance, please contact NGO Madad

Victims’ helpline:

• hotline for victims of gender-based violence at the Ministry of the Interior - 1259

• hotline at the State Committee for Family and Women Affairs - 1146

‘Call Umida’

An initiative to make streets safer for girls and women. With code phrase, any girl or woman who has been harassed can contact catering points, shops and other institutions where she will be helped. The project was initiated by UNDP. When someone experiences harassment and uses the code word at one of the partner locations, she will be provided with support and a safe place to be physically protected from her pursuer. In a calm and safe environment, she can decide a) to wait and continue her trip when she feels safe; b) to call relatives/friends or c) if she feels a severe danger – to call police. If it is a child asking for a help, the guidelines recommend the staff member contact her parents immediately. The ‘’Call Umida’’ initiative cannot provide any legal, psychological, or mental help, but it strives to offer safe places where victims can call for support.

e-mail: callumida.uz@undp.org

Find additional information and partner locations: CallUmida

You can also use the Telegram bot below to narrow the search for partner organizations/locations and determine the closest security point to you:

CallUmida_bot (Telegram)

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by HMG officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.

Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and was accurate at the time of production (02/02/2022).