On May 8, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, political parties, judicial and executive authorities, and representatives of the public. It reviewed the results of the referendum on the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan held on April 30 this year in a new edition.
In his speech, the Head of state noted that the updated Constitution of the country takes into account the interests of all segments of the population, the active participation of citizens in its development, as well as its adoption by referendum indicate that the real author of the updated Constitution is our people.
– Millions of our citizens actively participated in the nationwide discussion of the draft Constitution, which was held throughout the period before its adoption. Therefore, we have every reason to assert that the real author of the updated Constitution is our people. The most important thing is that now we will never deviate from the path of reforms, we will go forward and only forward on the basis of the new system of “man – society – state,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
At a time when the world is facing new challenges, threats and challenges every day, Uzbekistan has firmly enshrined its status as a sovereign State in the Constitution.
“In such difficult conditions, in every area of work, in all the laws and decisions we adopt, only the interests of our people, our Motherland should be the most important priority for us,” the head of state said.
In the updated Constitution, Uzbekistan declared itself a social state. The social obligations of the state are increasing by 3 times.
– It’s easy to say, but to put it into practice, we have to work hard. For these purposes, an additional 30-40 trillion soums should be allocated annually from the State Budget. Due to this, every year we will have to build hundreds of new kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
As a priority task, we will also use new opportunities to raise youth policy, the development of education and upbringing, science, culture and sports to a new level.
We will regularly increase salaries, pensions, allowances and scholarships. We will further expand the range of social services for our veterans, lonely elderly people, people with disabilities, citizens in need of special attention and care,” the President said.
In the updated Constitution, Uzbekistan is defined as a state governed by the rule of law, the number of norms on human rights guarantees has also been increased by 3 times.
It is determined that a person cannot be detained for more than 48 hours without a court decision, and the provision is fixed that restriction of freedom is possible only on the basis of a court decision. For the first time, it was separately established that the accused has the right not to testify against himself, that is, he has the right to remain silent.
The principle of “In the name of human honor and dignity” has become the main criterion in the Constitution, laws, and the activities of state departments, it is established that human honor and dignity are inviolable, and nothing can be the basis for their humiliation.
– This means that, first of all, the rule of law will be ensured in all spheres. From now on, all ambiguities in the laws will be interpreted in favor of man. Most importantly, the criterion for the activity of each member of society, especially officials, should be the approach: “The law is sacred, justice must prevail under any circumstances!”, – said the head of state.
The new version of the Constitution also consolidated the status of Uzbekistan as a democratic state, caring for the people, firmly moving along the path of democratic development.
In order to implement a compact and efficient management system that eases the burden of people and businesses, a large-scale administrative reform has been launched, the activities of the government and ministries have been optimized, and their working methods have been changed.
– My biggest dream is to create a people’s system in which the mahalla independently solves problems that concern people. In this regard, it is planned to transfer at least 30 percent of the powers of the bodies of finance, taxes and employment to the mahalla,” the President said.
The updated Constitution also provides for a number of important changes in the activities of the Parliament. In order to ensure the effective operation of the system of checks and balances in the system of state power, the powers of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis have been revised, the number of exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber has been increased from the current 5 to 12, and the Senate from 14 to 18.
– At the same time, it is time for our deputies to focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of laws, to work closely together with the government on the effective organization of their implementation. It is advisable to direct the activities of the Senate to solving issues related to the regions, providing comprehensive assistance to local Kengashes in connection with their reform, holding visiting sessions by industry and region, ensuring the enforcement of laws on the ground, especially in mahallas,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The new version of the Constitution also consolidated the status of Uzbekistan as a secular state to ensure interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony.
Our people decided in a referendum that Uzbekistan is a secular state and will remain so in the future. It was noted that in accordance with the requirements of the new version of the Constitution, the policy of ensuring harmony and respect between representatives of different nations and faiths in the country will be continued, no manifestations of radicalism in society will ever be allowed.
During the meeting, the tasks of implementing the updated Constitution into life and ensuring its implementation were defined. It was noted that the relevant decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed.
– In order to turn every provision, every article of the Basic Law into the norm of life of our society, especially the younger generation, it is necessary to create educational programs, textbooks and manuals, training of young people on the basis of an effective system. It is necessary to establish work aimed at in–depth study of the Constitution in every educational institution, organization and department, enterprise and mahalla,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The Head of State announced the holding of early presidential elections in accordance with article 128 of the updated Constitution.
The President explained the necessity of this decision and the reason for refusing on his own initiative from the remaining three and a half years of the presidential term:
firstly, all the links of power are being reformed, relations and the balance between them are seriously changing;
Secondly, the updated Constitution puts forward urgent, new political and socio-economic tasks for the President, Parliament, Government, ministers, khokims;
thirdly, the people are waiting for extremely important and urgent transformations and reforms in all spheres;
Fourthly, at present, when complex processes are taking place in the world and in our region, tensions are growing, the search and implementation of the right and effective way of development are becoming the most acute and urgent issue.
For the successful implementation of such large-scale tasks, it is advisable that in the updated system of state power, our people give a mandate to a leader they trust.
The participants of the meeting noted that this initiative is the embodiment of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s deep respect and devotion to the Uzbek people and democratic principles.
At the same time, during the meeting, it was stressed that the holding of early presidential elections will serve to ensure the functioning of state power in accordance with the requirements of the updated Constitution, the full implementation of the principle of democracy.
The heads of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, political parties and the Constitutional Court also spoke at the meeting, they supported the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President.
At the end of the meeting, it was noted that no matter how high and difficult the planned milestones are, there are all opportunities to achieve them, the heritage of great ancestors, creative power, intellectual and spiritual potential, entrepreneurship and hard work of our people will become a source of strength and energy on this path for us.
