From 1 April, teachers have worn the mandatory outfit selected by their school management. Some schools have introduced simple single-color dresses. Others have chosen white tops and black skirts, or trousers for the men. The Education Ministry’s decree says that in addition to looking modest, teachers must refrain from wearing makeup and jewelry.

The government has placed a ban on riding motorcycles in the capital. Police and security officials have reasoned such bans will help improve security. But journalists say that many of the decisions are simply the result of caprice and laziness on the part of some government officials.

Moviegoers throughout the country will not be able to see “The Turkish Gambit,” a new historical thriller from Russia. Uzbeks had eagerly awaited the arrival of “The Turkish Gambit,” a new Russian film that has proved a popular hit in many post-Soviet republics and has been heavily advertised on television and radio. Uzbek interest in the film was especially high because its director, Janik Fayziev, is a native of Tashkent and the son of a popular Uzbek actress, Oydin Norbaeva. But “The Turkish Gambit” is the second Russian production to be banned in Uzbekistan in the past several months. Last autumn, Uzbek authorities blocked the broadcast of the Russian soap opera “Twins.”

Criminal Code 1994, Article 120 Homosexual Intercourse : Article 120 punishes ‘voluntary sexual intercourse of two male individuals’ with up to three years’ imprisonment. The law applies to men only.