Uzbekistan firmly enshrined its status as a sovereign state in the Constitution
The following article and picture materials have been provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Seoul for publication by The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.—Ed.
On May 8, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting with the heads of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, political parties, judicial and executive authorities, and members of the public. The results of the referendum held on April 30 this year on the renewed Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan were considered.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the interests of all segments of the population are taken into account in the renewed Constitution of the country, the active participation of citizens in its development, as well as its adoption by referendum, indicate that our people are the real author of the renewed Constitution.
“Millions of our citizens actively participated in the nationwide discussion of the draft Constitution, which was held for the entire period before its adoption. Therefore, we have every reason to assert that our people are the real author of the renewed Constitution. Most importantly, we will never deviate from the path of reforms. We will move forward and only forward based on the new system “person – society – state”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
Every day, the world faces new trials, threats, and challenges. Uzbekistan firmly enshrined its status as a sovereign state in the Constitution.
“In such difficult conditions, in every area of work, in all the laws and decisions we adopt, the most important priority for us should be only the interests of our people, our Motherland”, the President said.
In the renewed Constitution, Uzbekistan proclaimed itself a social state. The social obligations of the state are increased by three times.
“It’s easy to say, but we have to work hard to put it into practice. For these purposes, allocating an additional 30-40 trillion UZS from the State budget annually is necessary. Due to this, every year, we will have to build hundreds of new kindergartens, schools, and hospitals.
As a priority task, we will also use new opportunities to raise youth policy, development of education and upbringing, science, culture, and sports to a new level.
We will regularly increase wages, pensions, allowances, and stipends. We will further expand the range of social services for our veterans, lonely elderly people, people with disabilities, and citizens in need of special attention and care”, the President said.
In the renewed Constitution, Uzbekistan is defined as a state of law. The number of norms on human rights guarantees has also increased thrice.
It is determined that without a court decision, a person cannot be detained for more than 48 hours. A provision was fixed that restriction of freedom is possible only based on a court decision. For the first time, it was separately established that the accused has the right not to testify against himself. That is, he has the right to remain silent.
The principle “In the name of human honor and dignity” has become the main criterion in the Constitution, laws, and the activities of state agencies. It has been established that human honor and dignity are inviolable, and nothing can be the basis for their humiliation.
“This means that, first of all, the rule of law in all spheres will be ensured. From now on, all ambiguities in the laws will be interpreted in favor of the person. Most importantly, the criterion for the activity of each member of society, especially officials, should be the approach: “The law is sacred. Justice must prevail under any circumstances!”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The renewed Constitution also consolidated the status of Uzbekistan as a democratic state to build a state that cares about the people, to move firmly along the path of democratic development.
A large-scale administrative reform has been launched, the activities of the government and ministries have been optimized, and their work methods have been changed to introduce a compact and efficient management system that eases the burden of people and businesses.
“My biggest dream is to create a people’s system in which the mahalla independently solves the problems concerning people. In this regard, it is planned to transfer at least 30 percent of powers of finance, taxes, and employment bodies to the mahalla”, the President said.
The renewed Constitution also provides for several significant changes in the activities of the Parliament. To ensure the effective operation of the system of checks and balances in the system of state power, the powers of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis have been revised, and the number of exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber has been increased from the current 5 to 12, and the Senate – from 14 to 18.
“At the same time, the time has come for our deputies to focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of laws and work closely with the government to organize their implementation effectively. It is advisable to direct the activities of the Senate to resolve issues related to the regions in connection with the reform of local Councils, to provide them with comprehensive assistance, hold field sessions in industries and regions, ensure the implementation of laws, especially in mahallas”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The renewed Constitution also secured the status of Uzbekistan as a secular state to ensure interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony.
Our people decided in a referendum that Uzbekistan is a secular state and will continue to be secular. It was noted that by the requirements of the renewed Constitution, the policy of ensuring harmony and respect between representatives of different nations and confessions in the country will continue, and no manifestations of radicalism in society will ever be allowed.
At the meeting, tasks were defined to ensure the implementation of the renewed Constitution. It was noted that a corresponding decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed.
“To turn every provision, every article of the Basic Law into the norm of life in our society, especially the younger generation, it is necessary to create curricula, textbooks, and manuals, and train young people based on the effective system. It is necessary to organize work aimed at a deep study of the Constitution in every educational institution, organization, agency, enterprise, and mahalla”, the President of Uzbekistan said.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced early presidential elections by Article 128 of the renewed Constitution.
The President explained the need for this decision and the reason for the refusal of his initiative from the remaining three and a half years of the presidential term:
- first, all links of power are being reformed, relations and the balance between them are seriously changing;
- second, the renewed Constitution puts before the President, parliament, government, ministers, and hokims urgent new political and socio-economic tasks;
- third, the people are waiting for significant and urgent transformations and reforms in all areas;
- fourth, when complex processes are taking place in the world and our region, tension is growing, and the search for and implementation of the correct and effective development path is becoming the most acute and urgent issue.
For the successful implementation of such large-scale tasks, it is advisable that in the renewed system of state power, our people give a mandate to a leader they trust.
The meeting participants noted that this initiative is the embodiment of the deep respect and devotion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Uzbekistan people and democratic principles.
At the same time, at the meeting, it was emphasized that holding early presidential elections will ensure the functioning of state power by the requirements of the renewed Constitution and the full implementation of the principle of democracy.
The leaders of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, political parties, and the Constitutional Court also addressed the meeting. They supported the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President.
Following the meeting, it was noted that no matter how high and difficult the planned milestones are, there is every opportunity to achieve them. The legacy of great ancestors, creative power, intellectual and spiritual potential, entrepreneurial spirit, and diligence of our people will become for us a source of strength and energy on this path.