«Safety of affected girls in Khorezm ensured» - Saida Mirziyoyeva

The safety of the three girls who were forced to have sexual relations with officials in an orphanage in Urgench has been ensured. This was reported by the head of the executive department of Administration of the Presiden Saida Mirziyoyeva.

"Their safety and their moral and physical recovery are now a priority. At the same time, we have to work on creating a system to respond to and, most importantly, prevent such cases. The time has come to tighten laws and create norms of zero tolerance for violence. At all levels.

The only thing that gives me hope in this whole situation is publicity and the voice of civil society, without which we would probably be blind to what is going on around us," Mirziyoyeva said.

She also thanked all the media and activists who have taken a civil stance in this situation.

"Violence has always been there, but it is now thanks to openness that we are talking about it loudly, and we have real resources to fight it.

I thank all media and activists who are not indifferent and have expressed their civic position on this case. Together we are strong in creating a working justice system!" - Mirziyoyeva added.

As we reported earlier, a court in Khorezm sentenced officials who forced underage girls from an orphanage to 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom (house arrest).

After this situation, the deputy head of the Presidential Administration, Komil Allamjonov, stated that it was time to amend legislation concerning the application of chemical castration penalties to paedophiles.