The people of Republic of Uzbekistan are looking forward to renewed constitution as strong legal foundation for the Third Renaissance of the country. The leadership is confident and determined to achieve the goals of the constitution reforms. President Shavkat, after successful referendum conducted by the Central Election Commission, has chaired important meetings in which he emphasized on the team and stakeholders that the public has clearly demonstrated their political awareness and now it is our duty to move forward for further sustainable development of our statehood and economy.
April 30 has become a memorable day in the history of Uzbek nation when the people made their choice and voted for the renewed Constitution that promises to provide them peaceful life, human honour and dignity, democracy, freedom, equality, social justice and solidarity.
Only after a week, on May 8, the President held a meeting with heads of the Oliy Majlis chambers, political parties, judiciary and executive authorities, and representatives of the public. The President shared in the meeting that continuing the good traditions rooted in our ancient history, guaranteeing human rights and freedoms as the supreme value, respecting our elders, permanent dialogue with the people – this is what we see as a true democracy.
In his speech, the President noted that the interests of all segments of the population were taken into account in the renewed Constitution. The active participation of citizens in its development, and its adoption through referendum indicate that the true authors of the renewed Constitution are our people.
Article 1 of the updated Constitution firmly enshrines the historically important provision that Uzbekistan is a sovereign, democratic, legal, social and secular state. These principles enshrined in the Basic Law by the will of the people – these five foundations that have shaped the path of development and destiny of country that the leadership assures will never be changed.
At the end of the meeting, it was emphasized that no matter how high and difficult are the planned goals, there are all opportunities to achieve them. The source of strength and energy on this way will be the heritage of our great ancestors, creative power, intellectual and spiritual potential, entrepreneurial spirit and diligence of our people.
(Public’s Trust and Republic’s Responsibility)
The results of the referendum on new constitution clearly proves that the people of Uzbekistan have demonstrated their confidence and full support for the reforms that the leadership of the nation embarked on six years ago.
The President noted that millions of our citizens actively participated in the nationwide discussions on the draft Constitution, which took place at all stages prior to its adoption. In this regard, we have every reason to claim that the real author of the updated Constitution is our people. The most important thing is that now we will never deviate from the path of reforms, we will move forward, and only forward on the basis of the new system “human – society – state”.
The President has full cognizance of the responsibility imposed by the people by overwhelmingly participating in the referendum and expressing their trust in the leadership. He knows that the public trust urges us to reach new frontiers for the welfare of our compatriots, gives us more strength and energy, and inspires us to consistently continue the reforms.
(Social State)
Uzbekistan has been declared a social state in the new constitution. There are more than 2,2 million families in the country in need of social protection. 55% of the population are young people. For that the social obligations of the state have been tripled.To this end, an additional 30-40 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated annually from the state budget, including for the construction of hundreds of new kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
The government will also give priority to using new opportunities to raise the level of youth policy, the development of education and upbringing, science, culture and sport.
Social services for veterans , the lonely elderly, people with disabilities, and citizens in need of special attention and care will be expanded. The government will regularly increase wages, pensions, allowances and scholarships.
(Steps to address growing needs of the population)
The President discussed the growing needs of the population. He recognized the existence of poverty in the country. He said we are making significant efforts to reduce it through separate programmes. We have introduced a system of «three notebooks» and a social register to ensure employment and increase the income of the population, especially young people and women, and we have achieved significant results in this regard.
In order to create decent living conditions for the population, it is primarily necessary to ensure economic growth. We must use all possibilities at our disposal to increase our GDP from the current $80 billion to $160 billion in the coming years. This means that the GDP per capita will reach $4,000.
“We will accelerate efforts to support the private sector, further simplify tax administration, and reduce state involvement in the economy. Major investments will be attracted, particularly in agriculture, water management, industry, energy, transport, and construction.In general, by August 1, the Government will have developed and submitted to Parliament a separate program for each new obligation of the state, specifying the funds, implementation mechanisms, responsible ministries and khokimiyats, as well as officials, said the President.
(State governed by the rule of law )
The number of norms on human rights guarantees in the Constitution has also tripled. This means that the rule of law, primarily will be ensured in all spheres. Henceforth, any ambiguity in the laws will be interpreted in favor of the individual. Above all, the criterion of activity for every member of society, especially for officials, must be the approach: «The law is sacred, justice must prevail in all circumstances»!
At the same time, in order to effectively protect human rights and freedoms, we must ensure in practice an impartial, fair and independent judicial review of cases.
To this end, the Basic Law stipulates that no one may be detained for more than 48 hours without a court order, and that restrictions on liberty may only be imposed by court order. For the first time, the right of an accused person not to testify against himself, in other words, the right to remain silent, is specifically stipulated. The status of lawyers has been raised, and it has been established that they have the same rights with investigators and prosecutors.
The principle «In the name of human honor and dignity» has become the main criterion in the Constitution, laws, and the activities of government agencies. It is established that human honor and dignity are inviolable and nothing can be a basis for their humiliation.
Most importantly, along with improving the knowledge and skills, the spiritual and moral level of the investigators, prosecutors, judges, and lawyers, we also need to improve the legal culture of the population, and change our attitudes.
( Democratic Development)
The state has further strengthened the guarantees of this principle in the Basic Law. A compact and efficient system of governance will be introduced which facilitates the problems of people and businesses, and provides them with high-quality services.
Administration reforms are needed for that and the structures of the government and ministries will be more compact, and their working methods changed. The next step is to improve the quality of governance at regional and district levels.
Important changes will be made in the functioning of the parliament. In particular, the number of exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber has been increased from the current 5 to 12, and that of the Senate from 14 to 18.
(Press and Civil Society)
The President said that the media and journalists are the most effective force in conveying the voice and opinion of the people to the general public and to state bodies.
The republic is committed to consistently continue the policy of openness in society, the freedom of the media to operate and to exercise their right to receive, use and disseminate information is firmly guaranteed. Special attention will be paid to the development of civil society institutions by strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations and guaranteeing their rights.
(Secular State)
The people expressed their choice, will and firm resolve for a secular state in the referendum. The state is determined to ensure the freedom of conscience of every citizen, regardless of his nationality, language, religion and social status, and create the necessary conditions for the free activity of religious denominations.
“We will consistently continue the policy of ensuring harmony and mutual respect among the representatives of different nations and faiths in the country. We will never allow any manifestations of radicalism in our society, the use of religion for political purposes, President Shavkat noted.
(Determined Leadership)
The President of Republic of Uzbekistan emphasized that no matter how high and difficult the goals we set for ourselves may be, we have every opportunity to achieve them. The legacy of our great ancestors, the creative power, intellectual and spiritual potential, enterprise and diligence of our people will be the source of strength and energy on this path. I am confident that together with you, with our entire nation we will surely achieve our noble goals. We will build a new Uzbekistan together, shoulder to shoulder, in harmony and unity.
During the meeting, the tasks of introducing the renewed Constitution into life and ensuring its implementation were defined. It was noted that the relevant decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed.
The renewed Constitution poses urgent, new political and socio-economic tasks to the President, parliament, government, ministers and khokims.
(Tasks for State Functionaries)
The leaders made it clear upon the state functionaries that at a time when complicated processes are taking place in the world and in our region, the search for and implementation of a correct and efficient way of development becomes 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 the leader whom they trust.
The meeting participants underscored that this initiative is an embodiment of deep respect and devotion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Uzbek people and democratic principles.
At the same time, it was emphasized during the meeting that holding early presidential elections would serve to ensuring the state power functioning in accordance with the requirements of the renewed Constitution and the full implementation of the principle of people’s power.The heads of the Oliy Majlis chambers, political parties and the Constitutional Court also spoke at the meeting and supported the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President.
Tazeen Akhtar / Islamabad
