Uzbekistan

The Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, left over from the former Soviet Union, criminalizes same-sex relations between men and prescribes a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment. Although these laws do not explicitly mention gender identity or expression, law enforcement officials often conflate gender identity with sexual orientation. The existence of the law gives the green light for harassment and violence, including at the hands of government officials. There have been reports of police officers torturing and raping LGBTIQ people in their custody. LGBTIQ issues are taboo and societal opinion of LGBTIQ people is largely negative. Violence, threats of violence, and discrimination against LGBTIQ people occur with impunity. Families often ostracize and abuse their LGBTIQ family members. Some LGBTIQ people are forced into “corrective” treatments which attempt to change their gender identity and/or sexual orientation.