Full text of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan

PREAMBLE (Unofficial translation)

We, united people of Uzbekistan:

solemnly declaring our adherence to human rights and freedoms, national and universal values, principles of state sovereignty,

affirming our commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and equality, social justice and solidarity,

aware of our ultimate responsibility to the present and the future generations for building a humane democratic state, an open and just society in which the person, human life, freedom, honor and dignity are the highest value,

relying on more than three millennia-long historical experience in the development of our statehood, as well as the scientific, cultural and spiritual heritage of the great ancestors who made an invaluable contribution to world civilization,

being determined to multiply and protect for present and future generations the invaluable natural wealth of the country and to preserve a healthy environment,

based on the generally accepted norms of the international law,

striving to strengthen and develop friendly relations of Uzbekistan with the world community, primarily, with neighboring states on the basis of cooperation, mutual support, peace and harmony,

aiming to ensure a decent life for citizens, interethnic and interfaith harmony, well-being and prosperity of the multinational native Uzbekistan,

hereby adopt and proclaim the present Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Part one. Fundamental principles

Chapter I. State sovereignty

Article 1.

Uzbekistan is a sovereign democratic, legal, social and secular state with a republican form of government.

Both names of the state — the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan — shall be equivalent.

 

Article 2.

The state shall express the will of the people and serve their interests. State bodies and officials shall be accountable to the society and the citizens.

 

Article 3.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall determine its national-state and administrative-territorial structure, its structure of state authority and administration, and shall pursue independent home and foreign policies.

The state boundary and the territory of Uzbekistan shall be inviolable and indivisible.

 

Article 4.

The state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be Uzbek.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall ensure a respectful attitude toward the languages, customs and traditions of all nationalities and ethnic groups living on its territory, and create the conditions necessary for their development.

 

Article 5.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have its state symbols — the flag, the emblem, and the anthem-approved by the law.

State symbols shall be under the protection of the State.

 

Article 6.

The capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the city of Tashkent.

Chapter II. Democracy

Article 7.

 

The people are the sole source of state power.

State power in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be exercised in the interests of the people and solely by the bodies empowered by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the laws passed on its basis.

Any seizure of powers belonging to state authority, suspension or termination of activity of the bodies of state authority contrary to the procedure prescribed by the Constitution, as well as the formation of any new or parallel bodies of state authority shall be regarded as unconstitutional and punishable by law.

 

Article 8.

 

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their nationality, constitute the people of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 9.

 

Major matters of public and state life shall be submitted for public discussion and put to a nationwide vote — a referendum.

The procedure for holding referendums in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be specified by the law.

 

Article 10.

 

The Oliy Majlis (the Parliament of the Republic) and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elected by the people, shall have the exclusive right to act on behalf of the people.

No part of society, political party, public association, movement or individual shall have the right to act on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 11.

 

The principle of the separation of power into the legislative, executive and judicial authorities shall underlie the system of state authority in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 12.

 

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, public life shall develop on the basis of a diversity of political institutions, ideologies and opinions.

No ideology may be established as the state.

 

Article 13.

 

Democracy in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall rest on the principles common to all mankind, according to which the ultimate value is the human being, his life, freedom, honor, dignity and other inalienable rights.

Democratic rights and freedoms shall be protected by the Constitution and the laws.

 

Article 14.

 

The state shall carry out its activity based on the principles of legality, social justice and solidarity, to ensure human well-being and sustainable development of society.

 

Chapter III. Supremacy of the constitution and law

Article 15.

 

The Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have absolute supremacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the supreme legal force and direct effect, and constitute the basis of the single legal space on the entire territory of the country.

International treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with the generally recognized principles and norms of international law, shall be an integral part of the legal system of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

If an international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes other rules than those stipulated by the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the rules of the international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall apply.

The state, its bodies, other organizations, officials, public associations and citizens shall act in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.

 

Article 16.

 

None of the provisions of the present Constitution may be interpreted in a way detrimental to the rights and interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the basic principles and norms stipulated in section one of this Constitution.

Laws and other normative legal acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be adopted on the basis of and in fulfillment of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. None of the laws or other normative legal acts may run counter to the norms and principles of the Constitution.

 

Chapter IV. Foreign policy

Article 17.

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have full rights in international relations.

The foreign policy of Uzbekistan shall be based on the principles of sovereign equality of the states, non-use of force or threat to use force, inviolability of frontiers, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and other generally recognized principals and norms of international law.

 

Article 18.

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall pursue a peaceful foreign policy aimed at the comprehensive development of bilateral and multilateral relations with states and international organizations.

The Republic of Uzbekistan may enter into alliances, join commonwealths and other inter-governmental institutions, as well as withdraw from them, on the basis of the supreme interests of the state, the people, its welfare and security.

 

Part two. Basic human and civil rights, freedoms and duties

Chapter V. General provisions

Article 19.

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall recognize and guarantee human rights and freedoms in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international law and in accordance with this Constitution. Everyone shall enjoy human rights and freedoms from birth.

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have equal rights and freedoms, and shall be equal before the law, without discrimination by sex, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, convictions and social status.

Any privileges shall be granted solely by the law and must conform to the principles of social justice.

 

Article 20.

 

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the state shall be bound by mutual rights and duties.

The human rights and freedoms, established by the Constitution and the laws, shall be inalienable, and no one shall have the right to deprive or limit them without a court decision.

The human rights and freedoms shall be directly applicable. The human rights and freedoms shall determine the essence and content of laws, the activities of state and self-government bodies and their officials.

The measures of legal influence on the individual applied by state bodies must be based on the principle of proportionality and be sufficient to achieve the goals provided by laws.

All contradictions and ambiguities in the legislation, which arise in the relationship between a person and state bodies, shall be interpreted in favor of the person.

 

Article 21.

 

Every person has the right to the free development of his or her personality. No one shall be subjected to an obligation not established by law without his or her consent.

The exercise of rights and freedoms by a person must not encroach on the lawful interests, rights and freedoms of other persons, the state or society.

The human rights and freedoms may be limited only in accordance with the law, and only to the extent necessary to protect the constitutional order, public health, public morality, the rights and freedoms of other persons, to ensure public safety and public order.

 

Chapter VI. Citizenship

Article 22.

 

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, a uniform citizenship shall be established on the entire territory of the Republic.

Citizenship in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be equal for all regardless of the grounds of its acquisition.

A citizen of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The grounds and procedure for acquiring and forfeiting citizenship shall be defined by law.

 

Article 23.

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall guarantee defense and protection to all its citizens both on its territory and abroad.

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not be expelled from Uzbekistan or turned over to another State.

The State, in accordance with the norms of international law, shall take care of the maintaining and developing ties with compatriots residing abroad.

 

Article 24.

 

Foreign citizens and stateless persons, during their stay on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be guaranteed the rights and freedoms in accordance with the norms of the international law. They shall perform the duties established by the Constitution, laws and international agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Chapter VII. Personal rights and freedoms

Article 25.

 

The right to life is an inalienable right of every human being and shall be protected by law. Infringement against human life shall be regarded as the gravest crime.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the death penalty shall be prohibited.

 

Article 26.

 

Human honor and dignity are inviolable. Nothing may be a basis for their derogation.

No one shall be subjected to torture, violence or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Nobody shall be subjected to medical and scientific experiments without his or her consent.

 

Article 27.

 

Everyone shall have the right to freedom and inviolability of the person.

No one may be arrested, detained, imprisoned, taken into custody or otherwise restricted in freedom except on lawful grounds.

Arrest, commitment, and confinement are allowed only by a court decision. Without a court decision, a person may not be detained for more than forty-eight hours.

During detention the person must be informed about his/her rights and the reasons for detention in a language he/she understands.

 

Article 28.

 

Everyone, accused to commit a crime, shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a public trial in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law and established by a court verdict that has entered into legal force. The accused person shall be given every opportunity for his/her defense.

All doubts about guilt, if the possibilities of eliminating them are exhausted, shall be resolved in favor of the suspect, accused, defendant or convicted person.

A suspect, accused or convicted person shall not be obliged to prove his or her innocence and may exercise the right to remain silent at any time.

No one shall be obliged to testify against himself/herself or his/her close relatives.

A person may not be convicted or punished, if a confession of guilt is the only evidence against him or her.

The persons deprived of their liberty shall be entitled to humane treatment and respect for the honor and dignity inherent in the human person.

A person’s criminal record and the legal consequences arising therefrom cannot be grounds for restricting the rights of his or her relatives.

 

Article 29.

 

Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to receive qualified legal assistance. In cases stipulated by law, legal assistance shall be provided at the expense of the state.

Each person shall have the right to legal counsel of his or her choice at any stage of the criminal proceedings, and where the person concerned is detained, as soon as his or her right to freedom of movement is restricted.

The suspect, accused or defendant shall have the right to be informed about the essence and grounds of the accusation, to demand the interrogation of persons giving evidence against him/her or in his/her favor, to use the assistance of an interpreter.

No evidence obtained in violation of the law may be admitted in the administration of justice.

A person convicted of a crime shall have the right to appeal the sentence to a higher court in accordance with the procedure established by law, as well as the right to request a pardon or a reduced sentence.

The rights of victims of offenses shall be protected by law. The State shall provide victims with legal defence and access to justice, create conditions for compensating the harm caused to them.

 

Article 30.

 

No one may be convicted, punished, deprived of property or any right on the basis of a law that is not officially published.

No one may be retried for the same offence.

 

Article 31.

 

Everyone shall have the right to inviolability of private life, personal and family secrets, protection of honor and dignity.

Everyone shall have the right to privacy of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, electronic and other communications. This right may be restricted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.

Everyone shall have the right to the protection of his or her personal data, as well as to demand the correction of inaccurate data, the destruction of data collected about his/her illegally or no longer having legal grounds.

Everyone shall have the right to inviolability of the house.

No one shall have the right to entry into the house against the will of the persons residing in it. Entry into the house, as well as seizure and inspection therein, shall be permitted only in cases and in the manner prescribed by law. A search of the residence may be permitted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.

 

Article 32.

 

Everyone lawfully within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to freedom of movement in the country, choice of place of stay and residence, with the exception of restrictions established by law.

Everyone shall have the right to leave Uzbekistan, except in the events specified by law. A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to return to Uzbekistan without hindrance.

 

Article 33.

 

Everyone shall be guaranteed freedom of thought, speech and convictions.

Everyone shall have the right to seek, obtain and disseminate any information.

The State shall create conditions for providing access to the worldwide information network Internet.

Restrictions of the right to seek, obtain and disseminate information shall be allowed only in accordance with the law and only to the extent necessary to protect the constitutional order, public health, public morality, the rights and freedoms of others, to ensure public safety and public order, as well as preventing the disclosure of state secrets or other legally protected secrets.

 

Article 34.

 

The State bodies, organizations, citizens' self-governing bodies and their officials shall allow everyone access to documents, resolutions and other materials, relating to their rights and legitimate interests.

 

Article 35.

 

Freedom of conscience shall be guaranteed to all. Everyone shall have the right to profess or not to profess any religion. Any compulsory imposition of religion shall be impermissible.

 

Chapter VIII. Political rights

Article 36.

 

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to participate in the management and administration of public and state affairs, both directly and through representation. They may exercise this right by way of self-government, referendums and democratic formation of state bodies, as well as public control over activities of state bodies.

The procedure of public control over activities of state bodies shall be defined by law.

 

Article 37.

 

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the equal rights to access civil service.

Restrictions related to the civil service shall be established by law.

 

Article 38.

 

Citizens have the right to carry out their public activity in the form of rallies, meetings and demonstrations in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authorities have the right to suspend or prohibit these events only for justified security reasons.

 

Article 39.

 

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to form trade unions, political parties and any other public associations, and to participate in mass movements.

No one may infringe on the rights, freedoms and dignity of the individuals, constituting the minority opposition in political parties, public associations and mass movements, as well as in representative bodies of authority.

 

Article 40.

 

Everyone shall have the right, both individually and collectively, to submit applications, proposals, and to lodge complaints with competent state bodies and organizations, citizens’ self-governing bodies, officials and public representatives.

Such applications, proposals and complaints shall be considered in accordance with the procedure and within the time-limit specified by law.

 

Chapter IX. Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights

Article 41.

 

Everyone shall have the right to own property.

The privacy of bank operations, deposits and accounts, as well as the right to inheritance shall be guaranteed by law.

 

Article 42.

 

Everyone shall have the right to decent work, to free choice of profession and occupation, favorable working conditions that meet the requirements of safety and hygiene, to fair remuneration for work without any discrimination and not below the established minimum wage, as well as the right to unemployment protection in the manner prescribed by law.

The minimum wage shall be determined taking into account the need to ensure a decent standard of living for a person.

It shall be prohibited to refuse to hire women, dismiss them from work and reduce their wages on the basis of pregnancy or having a child.

 

Article 43.

 

The State shall take measures to ensure employment of citizens, to protect against unemployment and to reduce poverty.

The State shall organize and promote vocational training and retraining of citizens.

 

Article 44.

 

Any forced labor shall be prohibited, except as punishment under the court decision, or in some other Instances specified by law.

Any form of child labor that poses a threat to the health, safety, morality, mental and physical development of the child, including those that prevent him or her from getting an education, shall be prohibited.

 

Article 45.

 

Everyone shall have the right to rest and leisure time.

Citizens working on hire shall have the right to rest and leisure time by establishing the length of working hours, days off and non-working holidays, paid annual leave.

 

Article 46.

 

Everyone shall have the right to social security in old age, in the event of disability, unemployment and loss of the bread-winner as well as in some other cases specified by law.

The amount of pensions, allowances and other types of social welfare established by law, may not be set lower than the officially fixed minimum consumer expenditure.

 

Article 47.

 

Everyone shall have the right to housing.

No one may be deprived of his or her home except by a court decision and in accordance with the law. In the cases and in the manner prescribed by law, the owner, deprived of his or her home, shall be provided with preliminary and equivalent compensation for the cost of housing and the losses incurred by him or her.

The State shall encourage the construction of housing and create conditions for the exercise of the right to housing.

The procedure for providing housing to socially vulnerable categories of the population shall be determined by law.

 

Article 48.

 

Everyone shall have the right to health and qualified medical care.

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to receive a guaranteed, extensive medical assistance in the manner prescribed by law at the expense of the state.

The State shall take measures to develop the healthcare system, its state and non-state forms, various types of medical insurance, ensuring sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population.

The State shall create conditions for the development of physical culture and sports, the formation of a healthy lifestyle among the population.

 

Article 49.

 

Everyone shall have the right to a favorable environment, reliable information about its condition.

The State shall create conditions for the implementation of public control in the field of urban planning activities in order to ensure the environmental rights of citizens and prevention of harmful environmental impact.

Draft urban planning documents shall be subject to public discussion in the manner prescribed by law.

The State, under the principle of sustainable development, shall implement measures to improve, restore and protect the environment, maintain ecological balance.

The State shall take measures to protect and restore the ecological system, social and economic development of the Aral Sea region.

 

Article 50.

 

Everyone shall have the right to education.

The State shall ensure the development of a continuous education system, its various types and forms, state and non-state educational organizations.

The State shall create conditions for the development of pre-school education and upbringing.

The State shall guarantee general secondary and basic vocational education free of charge. The general secondary education shall be compulsory.

Pre-school education and upbringing, general secondary education shall be under state supervision.

Inclusive education and upbringing shall be provided for children with special educational needs in educational institutions.

 

Article 51.

 

Citizens shall have the right to receive higher education in state educational organizations on a competitive basis at the expense of the state.

Higher educational institutions shall have the right to academic freedom, self-government, freedom of research and teaching in accordance with the law.

 

Article 52.

 

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the work of a teacher shall be recognized as the basis for the development of society and the state, the formation and education of a healthy, harmoniously developed generation, the preservation and enhancement of the spiritual and cultural potential of the people.

The State shall protect the honour and dignity of teachers, their social and material well-being and professional development.

 

Article 53.

 

Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of scientific research, engineering work and artistic creativity, as well as the right to enjoy cultural benefits. Intellectual property shall be protected by law.

The state shall promote the cultural, scientific and technical development of society.

 

Chapter X. Guarantees of Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms

Article 54.

 

The provision of human rights and freedoms is the paramount objective of the State.

The State shall safeguard the human and civil rights and freedoms proclaimed by the Constitution and laws.

 

Article 55.

 

Everyone shall have the right to defend his/her rights and freedoms by all means not prohibited by law.

Everyone shall be entitled to legally defend his/her rights and freedoms, and shall have the right to appeal any unlawful decisions, acts and omissions of State bodies and other organizations, their officials.

Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to have his/her case examined by a competent, independent and impartial court within the time limits established by law in order to have his or her rights and freedoms restored.

Everyone shall have the right, in accordance with the legislation and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to apply to international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms if all available domestic remedies have been exhausted.

Everyone shall have the right to compensation by the State for damage caused by unlawful decisions, acts or omissions of State bodies or their officials.

 

Article 56.

 

National human rights institutions shall supplement the existing forms and means of protecting human rights and freedoms, promote the development of civil society and enhance the culture of human rights.

The State shall create conditions for organising the activity of national institutions of human rights.

 

Article 57.

 

The rights of incapacitated and lonely elderly persons, persons with disabilities and other socially vulnerable categories of the population shall be protected by the state.

The State shall take the measures to improve the quality of life of vulnerable categories of the population and to enable them to fully participate in social and public life and to enhance their ability to provide for their basic necessities of life independently.

The State shall create the conditions for full access of persons with disabilities to objects and services of the social, economic and cultural spheres, and promote their employment and education, and shall ensure the possibility to obtain the necessary information without hindrance.

 

Article 58.

 

Women and men shall have equal rights.

The State shall ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the administration of public and state affairs and in other spheres of social and state life.

 

Chapter XI. Duties of citizens

Article 59.

 

All citizens shall perform the duties established by the Constitution.

 

Article 60.

 

Citizens shall be obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, and to respect the rights, freedoms, honour and dignity of others.

 

Article 61.

 

It is the duty of citizens to protect the historical, spiritual and cultural scientific and natural heritage of the people of Uzbekistan.

The historical, spiritual, cultural, scientific and natural heritage shall be protected by the state.

 

Article 62.

 

Citizens shall be obliged to protect the environment.

 

Article 63.

 

Citizens shall be obliged to pay taxes and fees prescribed by law.

Taxes and fees must be fair and must not hinder citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.

 

Article 64.

 

Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the duty of every citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Citizens shall be obliged to perform military or alternative service in the procedure prescribed by law.

 

Part three. Society and the individual

Chapter XII. Economic foundation of the society

Article 65.

 

The basis of the economy of Uzbekistan, evolving to enhance the well-being of citizens, shall be a property in its various forms. The State shall create the conditions for the development of market relations and fair competition, and guarantee the freedom of economic activity, enterprise and labour, taking into account the priority of consumer rights.

Equality and legal protection of all forms of property shall be ensured in Uzbekistan.

Private property shall be inviolable. An owner may not be deprived of his or her property except in the cases and according to the procedure prescribed by law and on the basis of a court decision.

 

Article 66.

 

An owner, at his/her discretion, shall possess, use and dispose of his/her property. The use of any property must not be harmful to the environment or violate the rights and legitimate interests of other persons, society and the state.

 

Article 67.

 

The state shall ensure a favourable investment and business climate.

Entrepreneurs in accordance with the law shall have the right to conduct any activity and choose its direction independently.

Unity of the economic space and the free movement of goods, services, labour and funds shall be guaranteed on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Monopolistic activities shall be regulated and limited by law.

 

Article 68.

 

The land, its minerals, waters, flora and fauna, other natural resources shall constitute the national wealth and shall be rationally used and protected by the state.

Land may be privately owned on the terms and in the manner prescribed by law, which ensure its rational use and protection as national wealth.

 

Chapter XIII. Institutions of civil society

Article 69.

 

Institutions of civil society including public associations and other non-governmental non-profit organizations, bodies of self-government of citizens, and the mass media shall form the basis of civil society.

The activity of civil society institutions shall be conducted In accordance with the law.

 

Article 70.

 

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, public associations are recognized as trade unions, political parties, scientific societies, women’s, veterans’ and youth leagues and persons with disabilities, professional associations, mass movements and other organizations of citizens.

Dissolution, prohibition or restriction of the activity of public associations may take place only on the basis of a court decision.

 

Article 71.

 

The formation and functioning of political parties and other non-profit non-governmental organizations, aiming to do the following, shall be prohibited: changing the existing constitutional system by force, coming out against state sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Uzbekistan, advocating war and social, national, racial and religious hostility, or encroaching on the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, encroaching on the health and morality of the people, as well as armed associations and political parties based on the national and religious principles.

Secret societies and associations shall be banned.

 

Article 72.

 

The state shall safeguard the rights and lawful interests of non-governmental non-profit organizations, and provide them with equal legal possibilities for participating in public life.

Interference by state bodies and officials in the activity of non-governmental non-profit organizations, as well as interference by non-governmental non-profit organizations in the activities of state bodies and officials, shall be impermissible.

 

Article 73.

 

Trade unions express and protect the social and economic rights and interests of workers. Membership in trade unions is voluntary.

 

Article 74.

 

Political parties shall express the political will of various sections and groups of the population, and through their democratically elected representatives shall participate in the formation of state authority. Political parties, in accordance with the established procedure, shall submit to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan or to the body authorised by it, public reports on the sources of financing their activity.

 

Article 75.

 

Religious organizations and associations shall be separated from the state and equal before law. The state shall not interfere in the activity of religious organisations.

The State shall guarantee the freedom of activities of religious organizations functioning by the procedure prescribed by the law.

 

Chapter XIV. Family, children and youth

Article 76.

 

The family is the primary unit of the society and is under the protection of society and the state.

Marriage shall be based on the traditional family values of the people of Uzbekistan, the free consent and equality of those entering into marriage.

The State shall create the social, economic, legal and other conditions for the full development of the family.

 

Article 77.

 

Until the children are of age, parents and guardians shall be obliged to support them, take care of their upbringing, education and healthy, full and harmonious development.

The state and society shall ensure the maintenance, upbringing, education, and healthy, full and harmonious development of orphans and children deprived of the guardianship of their parents, and encourage charitable activities to this end.

 

Article 78.

 

Children are equal before the law regardless of their parents' origin and civil status.

The State shall take responsibility to ensure and protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the child and to create the best conditions for his or her full physical, mental and cultural development.

Motherhood, fatherhood and childhood shall be protected by the state.

The State and society shall attend to fostering in children and young people a commitment to national and universal human values, pride in the country and the rich cultural heritage of the nation, a sense of patriotism and love of the Motherland.

 

Article 79.

 

The State shall ensure the protection of personal, political, economic, social, cultural and ecological rights of young people, and encourage their active participation in the life of society and the State.

The State shall create conditions for intellectual, creative, physical and moral formation and development of young people, the exercise of their rights to education, health care, housing, recruitment, employment and recreation.

 

Article 80.

 

Able-bodied children, who are of age, shall be obliged to care for their parents.

 

Chapter XV. Mass media

Article 81.

 

The mass media shall be free and act in accordance with law.

The State shall guarantee the freedom of the media to act and to exercise the right to seek, receive, use and disseminate information.

The mass media shall be responsible for the reliability of the information they provide.

 

Article 82.

 

Censorship shall not be permitted.

Obstruction or interference in the activity of the mass media shall entail liability in accordance with the law.

 

Part four. Administrative and territorial structure, and state system

Chapter XVI. Administrative and territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 83.

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of regions, districts, cities, towns, settlements, kishlaks and auls, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

 

Article 84.

 

Alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, the city of Tashkent, as well as the formation and annulment of regions, cities, towns and districts, shall be sanctioned by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Chapter XVII. Republic of Karakalpakstan

Article 85.

 

The sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan is part of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The sovereignty of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be protected by the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 86.

 

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have its own Constitution.

The Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan must be in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 87.

 

The laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be binding on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

 

Article 88.

 

The territory and boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not be altered without the consent of Karakalpakstan. The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be independent in determining its administrative and territorial structure.

 

Article 89.

 

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nation-wide referendum held by the people of Karakalpakstan.

 

Article 90.

 

Mutual relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be regulated by treaties and agreements concluded by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Any disputes between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be settled by the way of reconciliation.

 

Part five. Organization of state authority

Chapter XVIII. Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 91.

 

The supreme state representative body shall be the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan that exercises legislative power.

The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of two chambers — the Legislative Chamber (the lower chamber) and the Senate (the upper chamber).

The term of powers of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan is five years.

 

Article 92.

 

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of one hundred fifty deputies elected in accordance with the law.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the chamber of territorial representation and consist of members of the Senate (senators).

Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected in equal quantity — in four persons — from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent by secret ballot at relevant joint sessions of deputies of Zhokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, representative bodies of state authority of regions, districts, cities and towns from among these deputies.

Nine members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from among the most authoritative citizens with extensive practical experience and special merits in the sphere of science, art, literature, manufacture and other spheres of state and public activity.

A deputy of the Legislative Сhamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, may be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who has reached on the date of the elections twenty five years of age and permanently residing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan not less than five years. Requirements for candidates to be a deputy shall be determined by law.

One and the same person may not be simultaneously a deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 93.

 

The joint conduct of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;

2) adoption of the Constitutional laws and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;

3) ratification and denouncement of international treaties;

4) adoption of decision on holding a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan and designation the date of its holding;

5) determination of the guidelines of national and foreign policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and adoption of strategic state programs;

6) determination of the structure and powers of the bodies of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

7) admission of new state formations into the Republic of Uzbekistan and approval of decisions to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan;

8) legislative regulation of customs, currency and credit systems;

9) approval of the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;

10) determination of the maximum size of government debt of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

11) determination of taxes and other compulsory payments;

12) legislative regulation of the administrative and territorial structure, and alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

13) formation, annulment and renaming of districts, towns, cities and regions, and alteration of their boundaries;

14) institution of state awards and titles;

15) formation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

16) election of an Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the Deputy of Ombudsman;

17) ratification of decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of condition of war in case of attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or necessity of implementation of contractual obligations on mutual defense from aggression;

18) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of general and partial mobilization, introducing, prolongation or discontinuance of the state of emergency;

19) hearing the annual National Report on anti-corruption in the Republic of Uzbekistan;

20) conducting parliamentary investigation;

21) exercising of other powers specified by the Constitution and laws.

The matters on joint conduct by the chambers shall be considered, as a rule, first by the Legislative Chamber and then by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 94.

 

The exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) monitoring the execution of the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2) hearing the report of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

3) consideration and approval of the candidature of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

4) hearing the reports of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on current issues of social and economic development of the country as well as the members of the Cabinet of Ministers on issues of their activities;

5) consideration and approval of the candidates to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

6) hearing the annual report of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the most crucial issues of social and economic life of the country;

7) submission of parliamentary inquiries to the officials of state bodies and implementation of other forms of parliamentary control;

8) election of the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the deputies of Speaker, chairpersons of committees and their deputies;

9) addressing the issues of depriving a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from immunity on representation of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

10) adoption of decisions on matters relating to the organization of the chamber's activities and its internal order;

11) adoption of the resolutions on certain issues in the field of political, social and economic life, as well as the issues of national and foreign policy of the state;

12) exercising other powers stipulated by the Constitution and laws.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be entitled to dissolve itself by the majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of deputies.

 

Article 95.

 

The exclusive powers of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) election the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the head of the republican anti-corruption body and the head of the republican anti-monopoly body on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2) consideration and approval of the candidates for the posts of theProsecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the chairperson of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

3) conducting consultations on the candidature proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the post of the chairperson of State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

4) on the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan appointment and dismissal of the heads of diplomatic missions and other representations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in foreign states and international organizations on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

5) appointment and relief of the Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

6) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment and abolition of ministries and other republican bodies of executive power;

7) adoption of amnesty acts on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

8) hearing the reports of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

9) hearing the reports of the heads of diplomatic missions and other representations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in foreign states and international organizations on the issues of their activities;

10) submission of parliamentary inquiries to the officials of state bodies and carrying out other forms of parliamentary control;

11) assistance to the representative bodies of state power on the ground in the performance of their activities;

12) rescission of the decisions of representative bodies of state power on the ground in the case of their inconsistency with the norms of legislation;

13) election of the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies, chairpersons of committees and their deputies;

14) adoption of decisions on deprivation of a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from immunity on the representation of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

15) adoption of decisions on the matters relating to the organisation of chamber's activities and its internal organisation;

16) adopting resolutions on certain issues in the field of political, social and economic life, as well as on issues of national and foreign policy;

17) exercising the powers of the Oliy Majlis to legislate, with the exception of the Constitution and constitutional laws, during the dissolution of the Legislative Chamber;

18) exercising other powers stipulated by the Constitution and laws.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be entitled to dissolve itself by the majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of senators.

 

Article 96.

 

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, after expiry of their terms of powers, shall continue their activity until the beginning of the work accordingly of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of new convocation.

The first sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked by the Central Election Commission accordingly not later than in two months after the elections to the Legislative Chamber and not later than in one month after the formation of the Senate.

Sittings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked during sessions. Sessions shall be convoked, as a rule, since the first working day of September till the last working day of June of the next year.

Sittings of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked as required, but not less often than three times a year.

Sittings of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be empowered if more than half of the total number of all deputies, senators paticipiate in their work.

At adoption of the constitutional laws, presence of not less than two thirds of the total number of all deputies, senators shall be obligatory.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, the chairmen of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Judicial Council, the Prosecutor General of the Republic, the Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank shall have the right to attend sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as sittings of their bodies. The Chairperson of the Senate shall have the right to attend sittings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its bodies, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber — sittings of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its bodies.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall convoke separately.

The joint sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked upon taking the oath by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, making speeches by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on major matters of social and economic life, home and foreign policies of the country, making speeches by heads of foreign states. As agreed by the chambers the joint sittings of the chambers may be convoked on other matters.

 

Article 97.

 

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on matters relating to their conducting, shall adopt resolutions.

Resolutions of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be adopted by a majority of votes of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber or members of the Senate except for cases stipulated by the present Constitution.

 

Article 98.

 

The right of legislative initiative shall be entitled to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan in the person of its higher representative body of state authority, the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The right of legislative initiative also belongs to the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan on issues within their jurisdiction.

The right of legislative initiative shall be exercised through the introduction of a bill by subjects of the right of legislative initiative to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the right to vote, in the amount of at least one hundred thousand people, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right, in the manner of a legislative initiative, to submit to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Republic of Uzbekistan legislative proposals.

The procedure for the introduction and consideration of bills, legislative proposals shall be determined by law.

 

Article 99.

 

The law shall come into effect when it is adopted by the Legislative Chamber, approved by the Senate, signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and issued in the official publications in specified by law procedure.

The law, adopted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, not later than ten days from the date of adoption, shall be addressed to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The law shall be considered by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan within sixty days and, if approved, shall be passed to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signature and promulgation no later than ten days.

In the case that the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan does not make a decision on approval or rejection of the law within sixty days, it shall be sent to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signature and promulgation by the Legislative Chamber.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within sixty days, shall sign the law and promulgate it.

The law, rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be returned to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of the second consideration of the rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan law and approval the law by the Legislative Chamber, by a majority in two thirds of votes of the total number of deputies, it shall be considered to be adopted by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and addressed by the Legislative Chamber to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signing and promulgation.

On the law rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, on a par with, may form from among deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate a conciliatory commission for overcoming the occured disagreements. At adoption by the chambers proposals of the conciliatory commission the law shall be subject to consideration in ordinary procedure.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to return the law with his objections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of approval of the law in the earlier adopted edition by a majority not less than two thirds of votes of the total number accordingly of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the law shall be subject to signing by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan within fourteen days and promulgation.

Publication of laws and other normative-legal acts shall be an obligatory condition for their application.

 

Article 100.

 

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from its composition the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber and the deputies of Speaker.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies shall be elected by a majority of votes of the total number of deputies by secret ballot for the term of powers of the Legislative Chamber.

The same person may not serve more than two consecutive terms as Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Deputy of Speaker may be prematurely recalled by a decision of the Legislative Chamber, adopted by more than two thirds of votes of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber by secret ballot.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) convoke sittings of the Legislative Chamber, preside at them;

2) exercise the general direction over a preliminary review of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Legislative Chamber;

3) coordinate the work of the committees and commissions of the Legislative Chamber;

4) organize the control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the Legislative Chamber;

5) direct the work on antiparliamentary relations and the activity of the groups of the Legislative Chamber connected with the work of international parliamentary organizations;

6) represent the Legislative Chamber in interrelation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other state bodies, foreign states, international and other organizations;

7) sign resolutions of the Legislative Chamber;

8) exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and legislative acts.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue ordinances.

 

Article 101.

 

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from among its composition the Chairperson of the Senate and his deputies. The Chairperson of the Senate shall be elected upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

One of the Deputies of the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be a representative from the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his Deputies shall be elected by a majority of votes of the total number of senators by secret ballot for the term of powers of the Senate.

The same person may not serve as Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan more than two terms in a row.

The Chairperson and the Deputy of Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be recalled before the appointed time by decision of the Senate adopted by more than two thirds of votes of the total number of senators by secret ballot.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) convoke sittings of the Senate, preside at them;

2) exercise the general direction over a preliminary review of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Senate;

3) coordinate the work of the committees and commissions of the Senate;

4) organize the control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the Senate;

5) direct the work on interparliamentary relations and the activity of the groups of the Senate connected with the work of international parliamentary organizations;

6) represent the Senate in interrelation with the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other state bodies, foreign states, international and other organizations;

7) sign resolutions of the Senate;

8) exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and legislative acts.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue ordinances.

 

Article 102.

 

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the term of its powers shall elect from among deputies of the Legislative Chamber the committees for drafting laws, preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted to the Legislative Chamber, control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and decisions to be adopted by the Legislative Chamber.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the term of its powers shall elect from among senators the committees for preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted to the Senate, control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and decisions to be adopted by the Senate.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in case of necessity for the implementation of concrete tasks, shall organize commissions from among deputies, senators.

 

Article 103.

 

Parliamentary inquiry may be conducted by joint decision of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis to investigate facts and cases, which threaten human rights, and freedoms and the interests of society and the State and which may have a negative impact on the foundations of security and the sustainable development of the country.

To conduct the parliamentary inquiry on a parity basis from among the deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan a special commission shall be established, which shall carry out its activities in accordance with the law.

 

Article 104.

 

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the established procedure, shall receive compensation of expenses connected with their deputy or senator activities.

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate, working in the Senate on a permanent basis for the period of their powers, may not be engaged in other paid activity except for research, creative and pedagogical activities.

A deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right of immunity. They may not be brought to criminal responsibility, arrested or subject to measures of administrative penalty imposed in the judicial order, without the consent accordingly of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate.

 

Chapter XIX. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 105.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the head of the state and ensures confirmed functioning and interaction of the state authorities.

 

Article 106.

 

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan not younger than thirty five years, being in full command of the state language and permanently residing on the territory of Uzbekistan for at least 10 years, immediately preceding the elections, may be elected the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. One and the same person may not be the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of the universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for the term of seven years. The procedure for electing the President shall be defined by law of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 107.

 

The President, during his term of office, may not hold any other paid post, serve as deputy of representative body, engage in commercial activity.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall enjoy personal immunity and protection under law.

 

Article 108.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be regarded as having assumed office upon taking an oath of the following content at sitting of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

“I do solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of Uzbekistan, to strictly follow the Constitution and laws of the Republic, to guarantee the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and to conscientiously perform the duties vested on the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

 

Article 109.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) guarantee observance of rights and freedoms of citizens, the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, implementation of decisions regarding its national-state structure;

2) represent the Republic of Uzbekistan within the country and in international relations;

3) conduct negotiations and sign treaties and agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ensure the observance of the negotiated by the Republic treaties, agreements and the assumed by it obligations;

4) receive letters of credence and recall from diplomatic and other representatives accredited to him;

5) present to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan nominees for appointment heads of diplomatic and other representative offices of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states and with international organizations;

6) have the right to address the people and the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on major matters of realizing home and foreign policies of the country;

7) form and abolish ministries and other republican bodies of executive authority with subsequent submission of decrees on these matters for approval by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

8) represent to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan a nominee for the election on the post of the Chairperson of the Senate;

9) appoint, with the approval of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and dismisses them from their posts;

10) appoint and dismiss heads of committees, agencies and other republican state bodies in accordance with the legislation;

11) appoint and dismiss the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairperson of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the approval of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

12) appoint, after consultation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chairperson of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and dismisses him from his post;

13) present candidates to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as for the posts of Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, head of the republican body to counteract corruption and head of the republican anti-monopoly body;

14) appoint and dismiss, upon the submission of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairpersons and deputy Chairpersons of courts in regions and the city of Tashkent, the Chairperson of the Military Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan; approve members of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

15) appoint and relieve, upon the submission of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, khokims of districts and cities of their posts in accordance with law. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to relieve, by his decision, khokims of districts and cities of their posts, should they violate the Constitution, laws or perform acts discrediting the honour and dignity of a khokim;

16) suspend, cancel acts of republican executive bodies and khokims; have the right to chair the meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

17) sign and promulgate laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan; shall have the right to return a law, with his objections, to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the second discussion and vote;

18) announce condition of war in cas e of attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or in case of necessity of the implementation of contractual obligations on mutual defense from aggression, general or partial mobilization and within seventy two hours submit the adopted decision for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

19) in exceptional cases (real outside threat, mass disturbances, major catastrophes, natural calamities, epidemics) in the interests of ensuring citizens’ security introduce the state of emergency on the entire territory or in the particular localities of the Republic of Uzbekistan and within seventy two hours submit the adopted decision for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Conditions and the procedure for introducing the state of emergency shall be set by law;

20) serve as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, appoint and relieve the supreme command of the Armed Forces of the post and confer the highest military ranks;

21) award orders, medals and certificates of honour of the Republic of Uzbekistan, confer qualification and honorary titles of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

22) rule on matters of citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan and granting political asylum;

23) put to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan submission on adoption of acts of amnesty and effectuate pardoning of persons condemned by courts of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

24) form and head the Security Council at the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, forms the Presidential Administration, as well as consultative, advisory and other bodies at the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in order to ensure the implementation of its competence;

25) exercise other powers stipulated by the present Constitution and laws.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall not have the right to transfer exercising of his powers to state bodies or officials.

 

Article 110.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue decrees, resolutions and ordinances binding on the entire territory of the Republic on the basis of and for enforcement of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 111.

 

The Legislative Chamber, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be dissolved, by the decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted as agreed with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in case of insuperable disagreements within the Legislative Chamber or the Senate putting under threat their normal functioning or numerous adoption by them decisions contradicting the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as insuperable disagreements between the Legislative Chamber and the Senate putting under threat the normal functioning of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of dissolution of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the new elections shall be held within three months.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not be dissolved during the state of emergency.

 

Article 112.

 

If it is impossible for the incumbent President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to fulfill his duties, his duties and powers are temporarily assigned to the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, holding for three months in full accordance with the law, the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 113.

 

The President, upon completion of his term of office, shall be a lifetime member of the Senate.

 

Chapter XX. Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 114.

 

The executive authority shall be exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be composed of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, his deputies and ministers. The Head of the government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a member of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Cabinet of Ministers shall carry out its activities within the framework of the main directions of the executive authority, determined by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 115.

 

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) take responsibility for the conduct of effective economic, social, financial, money and credit policies; the development and realization of programs on development of science, culture, education, healthcare and other areas of economy and social sphere;

2) take measures to ensure sustainable economic growth, macroeconomic stability, poverty reduction, creation of decent living conditions for the population, food security, creation of a favorable investment climate, integrated and sustainable development of territories;

3) ensure the effective functioning of the system of social protection of the population, including persons with disabilities;

4) ensure the implementation of a unified state policy in the field of environmental protection, conservation of natural wealth and biological diversity, combating climate change, epidemics, pandemics, mitigating their consequences;

5) ensure the implementation of the state youth policy, takes measures to support, strengthen and protect the family, preserve traditional family values;

6) take measures to support the institutions of civil society, ensure their participation in the development and implementation of programs for socio-economic development and social partnership;

7) take measures to protect economic, social and other rights and legitimate interests of citizens;

8) ensure the implementation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decisions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, decrees, resolutions and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

9) coordinate and directs the work of executive authorities, exercises control over their activities in the manner prescribed by law;

10) take measures to ensure openness and transparency, legality and efficiency in the work of executive authorities, countering corruption in their activities, improving the quality and accessibility of public services;

11) represent the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan annual report on the most important issues of the socio-economic life of the country;

12) exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.

 

Article 116.

 

The Cabinet of Ministers, within the framework of constitutional norms and in accordance with legislation, issues decisions and orders that are binding on all bodies, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials and citizens throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Cabinet of Ministers, in its work, shall be responsible before the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The incumbent Cabinet of Ministers resigns before the newly elected Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, but in accordance with the decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, continues its activities until the formation of a new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers.

 

Article 117.

 

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) organize and direct the activity of the Cabinet of Ministers being responsible for efficiency of its work;

2) preside at sittings of the Cabinet of Ministers, sign its decisions;

3) represent the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in international relations;

4) exercise other functions stipulated by laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 118.

 

Candidacy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan for consideration and approval by the Legislative Chamber shall be submitted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan following consultations with all factions of political parties within a month after the election of officials and the formation of the bodies of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan or within a month after the release from office or resignation of the Prime Minister and the current composition of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consider the candidacy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan within ten days from the date of the submission.

The nominee of the Prime Minister, while considered at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall present a program of the Cabinet of Ministers for short and long-term perspectives.

The nominee of the Prime Minister is to be considered as approved if it receives more than a half of total number of votes of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of a triple rejection of the submitted candidates to the post of the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall appoint the Prime Minister and have the right to dissolve the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan after the approval of their candidatures by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to dismiss the Prime Minister, the current composition or a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to hear a report from a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding his activities. Based on the results of hearing the report of a member of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Legislative Chamber shall have the right to make a proposal for consideration to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan about his resignation.

The members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be obliged to respond to parliamentary inquiries and requests of a deputy of the Legislative Chamber, a member of the Senate in the manner prescribed by law.

The procedure for organizing activities and the competence of the Cabinet of Ministers shall be determined by law.

 

Article 119.

 

In case, when firm contradictions arise between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan against the proposal officially presented to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the deputies of the Legislative Chamber in quantity of not less than one-third of a total number, issues of vote of no confidence to the Prime Minister shall be introduced for discussion to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Vote of no confidence to the Prime Minister shall be considered as approved, if not less than two-thirds of a total number of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan respectively vote for it. In such case, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall make a decision on the removal of the Prime Minister from his post. Meanwhile, the whole composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall resign together with the Prime Minister.

 

Chapter XXI. Fundamental Principles of Local Bodies of State Authority. Self-government Bodies of Citizens

Article 120.

 

The Kenghashes of people’s deputies, led by khokims, are the representative bodies of authority in regions, districts, cities and towns (except towns subordinate to district centres).

The Kengash of people’s deputies shall be headed by a Chairperson elected in accordance with the law among its deputies.

A person holding the position of khokim of a region, district or city may not hold the position of Chairperson of the Kengash of people’s deputies at the same time.

The term of office of Kengashes of people’s deputies shall be five years. The same person may not be elected as the Chairperson of the Kengash of people’s deputies of the same region, district or city more than two terms in a row.

The procedure for the election of deputies of the Kengashes of people’s deputies and organization of the activities of Kengashes of people’s deputies shall be determined by law.

The elections to the Kengash of people’s deputies in the newly formed administrative-territorial units shall be held for a period not exceeding the period remaining until the next general election to the Kengash of people’s deputies.

 

Article 121.

 

The executive authority in the relevant territory shall be headed by the khokim of the region, district and city.

The term of office of khokims shall be five years. The same person may not be appointed as khokim of the same region, district, city for more than two terms in a row.

The procedure for organizing the activities of khokims shall be determined by law.

 

Article 122.

 

The authority of the Kengashes of people’s deputies shall include:

1) consideration and adoption of relevant local budgets, control over their execution;

2) approval of programs for the socio-economic development of territories and social protection of the population;

3) approval of the khokim to office, hearing reports about its activities;

4) exercise of other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.

 

Article 123.

 

The powers of khokims of regions, districts, cities shall include:

1) execution of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and decisions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, decrees, resolutions and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers, higher khokims and relevant Kengashes of people’s deputies;

2) implementation of measures aimed at ensuring the economic, social, cultural and environmental development of the territories;

3) formation and execution of the local budget;

4) exercise of other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.

 

Article 124.

 

The khokim of region and the city of Tashkent shall be appointed and relieved of his post by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with law.

The khokims of districts and cities shall be appointed and relieved of their posts by the khokim of the region and the city of Tashkent, and approved by the relevant Kenghash of people’s deputies.

The khokims of towns subordinate to district centres shall be appointed and relieved of their posts by the khokim of the district and appropved by the district Kenghash of people’s deputies.

 

Article 125.

 

The khokim of region, district, city and town shall exercise his powers in accordance with the principle of one-man management and shall bear personal responsibility for decisions and actions of bodies directed by him.

The khokim of region, district, city and town shall present to the relevant Kenghash of people’s deputies the reports on major and actual matters of the socio-economic development of the region, district, city. Based on it, the Kenghashes of people’s deputies shall take relevant decisions.

 

Article 126.

 

The Kengash of people’s deputies and the khokim, within their powers, shall make decisions which are mandatory to all organizations, as well as officials and citizens in the respective territory.

 

Article 127.

 

The self-governing bodies are gatherings of citizens in settlements, kishlaks and auls, as well as in makhallas of cities, settlements, kishlaks and auls, which shall elect a Chairperson.

The self-governing bodies of citizens shall not be included in the system of state authorities and, in accordance with the law, and shall have the right to independently resolve issues of local importance, based on the interests of citizens, historical features of development, as well as national values, local customs and traditions.

The state shall create the necessary conditions for the implementation of the activities of self-governing bodies of citizens, assist them in the exercise of the powers determined by law.

The procedure for the elections, organization of the work and powers of self-governing bodies shall be regulated by law.

 

Chapter XXII. Electoral System

Article 128.

 

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to elect and be elected to the representative bodies of state authority. Every elector shall have one vote. The right to vote, equality and freedom of expression of will shall be guaranteed by law.

The elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, to the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, cities are held, respectively, in the year of the expiration of their constitutional term of office — on the first Sunday of the third decade of October. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who have reached the age of eighteen have the right to vote.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to call early elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by secret ballot at relevant joint sittings of deputies of Jokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the representative bodies of state authority in regions, districts, cities and towns from among these deputies within a month after their election.

Citizens recognized by a court as legally incompetent, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court judgment, may not be elected.

Citizens recognized by the court as legally incompetent, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court verdict for committed grave and especially grave crimes may be deprived of the right to participate in elections only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision. In any other cases, direct or indirect restriction of citizens’ voting rights is not allowed.

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not simultaneously be a deputy in more than two representative bodies of state authority.

The procedure for conducting elections shall be determined by law.

 

Article 129.

 

To organize and hold the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, cities, as well as a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be formed by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the main principles of activity of which shall be independence, legality, collective nature, publicity and fairness.

The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall carry out its activities on a permanent basis and shall comply with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the recommendation of the Jokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city Kenghashes of people’s deputies.

Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected from among its members upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the meeting of the commission. The same person may not be elected as the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

 

Chapter XXIII. Judicial Authority

Article 130

 

The justice in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be carried out only by the court.

The judicial authority in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall function independently from the legislative and executive authorities, political parties, and other institutions of civil society.

 

Article 131

 

The judicial system and the procedure for the activities of courts in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be determined by law.

The formation of extraordinary courts shall be inadmissible.

 

Article 132

 

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall hear cases on compliance with the Constitution of acts of the legislative and executive authority.

The Constitutional Court shall be elected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon the submission of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from among specialists in the sphere of politics and law, recommended by the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including the representative of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Judges of the Constitutional Court shall be elected for ten-year terms without the right to re-election.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from among its members the Chairperson of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputy.

 

Article 133

 

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) define the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decrees, resolutions and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, resolutions of the government, decisions of local bodies of state authority, interstate treaties and other obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2) conform the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the constitutional laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan — until they are signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan — until they are signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan on their ratification;

3) conform the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan with issues to be submitted to the referendum;

4) conform the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws of the Republic of Karakalpakstan — to laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

5) interpret the norms of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

6) consider the appeal of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, initiated by the courts, on compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, normative-legal acts subjects to application in concrete cases;

7) based on summarizing practices of the constitutional legal procedures, represent annually the information on a status of constitutional lawfulness to the Chambers of of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

8) hear other cases relating to its competence in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The citizens and legal entities shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a complaint about the compliance with the Constitution of the law applied to them by the court in a specific case, the consideration of which in court has been completed, and if all other remedies have been exhausted.

Judgments of the Constitutional Court shall take effect upon publication.

They shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Organization and procedure for the work of the Constitutional Court shall be specified by law.

 

Article 134

 

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the supreme judicial body of civil, criminal, economic and administration proceedings.

The acts adopted by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be final and binding on the entire territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to supervise the administration of justice of the inferior courts.

The Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his/her deputies shall be elected on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for a five-year term. The same person may not be elected as Chairperson, deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan more than two terms in a row.

 

Article 135

 

The Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall act as a body of court community and render support in observation of the constitutional principle of independence of the judiciary in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Deputy Chairman shall be elected on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for a five-year term. The same person may not be elected Chairman, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two terms in a row.

The procedure for organization and work of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be defined by law.

 

Article 136

 

Judges shall be independent and subject solely to the Constitution and the law. Any interference in the work of judges in administering law shall be inadmissible and punishable by law. Judges shall not be accountable in specific cases.

Judges shall be inviolable.

The State shall ensure the safety of the judge and members of his family.

Suspension of a judge from hearing a specific case, termination or suspension of his or her powers, transfer to another position shall be allowed only in accordance with the procedure and on the grounds stipulated by law. The reorganization or liquidation of a court may not serve as grounds for relieving a judge from office.

Judges may not be senators, deputies of the representative bodies of state authority.

Judges may not be members of political parties, participate in political movements, as well as be engaged in any other paid activity except for research and pedagogical.

 

Article 137

 

Examination of cases in all courts shall be open to the public. Hearings in camera shall be allowed only in cases prescribed by law.

 

Article 138

 

Court verdicts shall be binding on all state bodies, organizations, officials and citizens.

 

Article 139

 

Legal proceedings in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be conducted in Uzbek, Karakalpak or in a language spoken by the majority of the population in the locality or in another language as required by law. Persons participating in court proceedings, who do not know the language in which it is being conducted, shall have the right to be fully acquainted with the materials of the case, participate through an interpreter in proceedings and address the court in their native language.

 

Article 140

 

Courts shall be financed only from the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan and shall ensure the possibility of full and independent administration of justice.

 

Chapter XXIV. Legal profession

Article 141

 

Legal profession shall operate to provide professional legal assistance to individuals and legal entities.

The activity of Advocate's office shall be based on the principles of legality, independence and self-government.

Organization and procedure for the work of the Legal profession shall be specified by law.

 

Article 142

 

Interference in the work of an Advocate in the exercise of its professional duties shall not be permitted.

Advocates shall be ensured the conditions for unimpeded and confidential meetings and consultations with their client.

An advocate, his honour, dignity and professional activity shall be under the protection of the state and shall be protected by law.

 

Chapter XXV. Prosecutor’s office

Article 143

 

The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the prosecutors subordinate to him shall supervise the strict and uniform observance of laws on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 144

 

The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall direct the centralized system of bodies of the prosecutor’s office.

The Prosecutor of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be appointed by the supreme representative body of the Republic of Karakalpakstan as agreed with the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Prosecutors of regions, districts, cities and towns shall be appointed by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The term of office shall be five years for the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Prosecutor of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, prosecutors of regions, districts, cities and towns.

The same person may not hold the position of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two terms in a row.

 

Article 145

 

Bodies of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall exercise their powers independently of any state bodies, public associations and officials, and shall be subject solely to the Constitution and the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Prosecutors for the term of their powers shall suspend their membership in political parties and other public associations pursuing political goals.

Organization, powers and procedure for the work of bodies of the prosecutor’s office shall be specified by law.

 

Article 146

 

On the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be prohibited establishment and functioning of private, organizations, public associations and their branches independently conducting any operational work, investigations, inquiries and other functions connected with combating crime.

Public associations and citizens may render assistance to the law-enforcement bodies to safeguard legality and order, rights and freedoms of citizens.

 

Chapter XXVI. Financial, monetary and banking systems

Article 147

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have independent financial, monetary and banking systems.

 

Article 148

 

The state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of the national budget, the budget of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and local budgets.

The procedures for the formation and execution of the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be carried out on the basis of the principles of openness and transparency.

Citizens and civil society institutions exercise public shall provide control over the formation and execution of the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The procedure and forms of participation of citizens and civil society institutions in the budget process shall be established by law.

 

Article 149

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have a single taxation system. The right to determine taxes shall belong to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 150

 

The monetary unit of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the Soum.

Soum is the only unrestricted legal tender on the entire territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the sole right for the issuance and withdrawal of banknotes from circulation as legal means of payment on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Article 151

 

The banking system of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan and banks.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall develop and implements monetary and currency policy.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall regulate the activities of banks, and ensure the stable functioning of banking and payment systems in the country.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be independent in carrying out its tasks.

The procedure for organizing the activities of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be established by law.

 

Chapter XXVII. Defense and security

Article 152

 

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be formed to defend the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, peaceful life and security of its population.

The structure and organization of the Armed Forces shall be specified by law.

 

Article 153

 

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall maintain the Armed Forces to ensure its security at a level of reasonable sufficiency.

 

Part six. Procedure for amending the constitution

Article 154

 

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be amended by constitutional law adopted by a majority, not less than two thirds of the total number accordingly of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, or by referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The provisions of Article 1 of this Constitution and the second part of this article shall not be subject to revision.

The Constitutional law on amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan may provide for the specifics of the application of its norms, as well as the norms of the Constitution.

 

Article 155

 

The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may adopt law on alterations and amendments to the Constitution within six months after submission of a relevant proposal, with regard for its broad discussion. Should the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan reject a proposal on alteration of the Constitution, it may be renewed not earlier than in a year.


The following source was used in the preparation of the data: https://constitution.uz/oz/clause/index

The full text of the Constitution is available in the National Database of Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan through the following link: https://lex.uz/docs/6451070 

 

 


Updated at: 03.12.2024