The senators started their work with consideration of the resolution “On the amnesty in connection with the 18th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, submitted to the upper house of parliament by the President of Uzbekistan.

The amnesty act is aimed at the release of sentenced women, individuals who at the time of committing the crime were under 18, men who have reached the age of 60, as well as foreign citizens, UzA reported.

On the basis of the amnesty act, it is envisaged to free from punishment those who committed a crime on carelessness, as well as those who committed for the first time crimes that do not pose serious public danger or less serious crimes, persons with disabilities of first and second groups (except for premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances), and persons found to be suffering serious diseases that hinder their serving the sentence.

In addition, from punishment will be freed persons (except for those who committed premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances) with remaining sentence not exceeding two years, those who are firmly on the road to correction, sentenced for the first time for participating in the activities of banned organizations.

The effect of the amnesty does not apply to the following categories of persons: those convicted to long-term or life imprisonment; particularly dangerous recidivists; those who committed grave crimes, as well as persons whose death penalty was replaced with imprisonment.

The Senate determined the order of application of the amnesty resolution, which establishes a procedure for judicial review of cases and materials in respect to persons subject to exemption from punishment under the amnesty. It envisages active participation of senators, deputies and regional representatives of the ombudsman in the implementation of public control over the application of the amnesty act, as well as ensuring publicity and transparency.

It is envisaged to implement a package of measures aimed at social adaptation and protection of persons exempted from punishment, ensuring their integration and employment, placement of lonely and needy persons in homes for the disabled and the elderly, transfer of juveniles to the supervision of parents, guardianship bodies, and sending them where necessary to appropriate educational institutions.

The members of the parliament’s upper chamber also considered a number of laws, aimed at deepening of democratic reforms in the social, economic, judicial and legal spheres, as well as dynamic development of humanitarian sphere and effective solutions of social problems.

These include the Law “On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On free economic zones”, developed in accordance with the Presidential Decree of 2 December 2008 “On creation of free industrial and economic zone in Navoi region”.

The law is intended to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investments, especially direct, for organization of modern hi-tech industries manufacturing production that meets international standards and enjoys demand on the world markets.

The law introduces the concept of industrial-economic zone as a kind of free economic zone, establishes special legal, tax, customs and currency acting in the free economic zone, outlines a clear list of benefits and preferences provided to the participants in their economic activity.

The senators also considered the Law “On electrical energy”, which is aimed at protecting the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and ensuring the high level of safety of domestic electricity system, improving reliability and quality of services.

Besides, the Senate considered the law “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the improvement of legislation on combating the legalization of proceeds from criminal activity and financing terrorism”.

It was noted that changes will help to improve the mechanisms for timely detection of suspicious financial transactions of organizations conducting operations with money or other property, enhance the effectiveness of internal control in organizations involved in the system of combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The members of the Senate considered the Law “On introducing changes and amendments to Article 256 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, developed to improve the legal system of taxation of users of subsoil resources on the terms of the production sharing agreement. The amendments are aimed at creating equal conditions in terms of tax and royalty payment and payment of excise duty for hydrocarbons for both foreign investors and residents of Uzbekistan who are members of production sharing agreements.

They also considered the Law “On amendments and addenda to the Law ’On medicines and pharmaceutical activities’”. It was noted that the law would create a more effective legal framework for protection of consumer rights and the internal market from counterfeit and substandard medicaments, and the rights and legitimate interests of manufacturers of from illicit copies of medicines on the territory of Uzbekistan.

The chamber approved the Law “On amendments to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On protection and use of cultural heritage”, aimed at establishing a legal basis for unification of the objects of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and their adequate protection and utilization.

When discussing the Law “On fire safety” the senators noted that this act systematizes the existing legal norms, departmental regulations and international standards. The law determines general legal, economic and social framework to ensure fire safety in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The members of the Senate also considered several other draft laws included in the agenda of the session.