As is known, to comprehensively discuss the draft Constitutional Law with the participation of the general public, as well as its improvement and refinement, the term for holding a national referendum was extended twice.

Proposals for improving and introducing amendments to certain articles of the Constitution are carefully studied by members of the commission and deputies.

The responsible officer of the Institute for Legislative Problems and Parliamentary Studies at the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustambek Sayidov also works as part of this commission. An UzA Correspondent interviewed Rustambek Sayidov about the new norms that are planned to be introduced into the Constitution of the country.

– The Constitution is a solid legal basis for all the achievements and success that have taken place over the years of independence. What is the main reason for the constitutional reforms carried out in our country today?

– President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his speech at the joint meeting of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis on the occasion of taking office, noted the need for constitutional reforms in Uzbekistan.

In his congratulatory message to the people on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Head of the state also noted that in the current conditions, the most important task is to adapt our Basic Law to today’s realities in society, the logic of rapid reforms, create a solid legal basis for the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan, noted the main directions of constitutional reforms.

Based on this, the work of the Constitutional Commission was aimed at implementing large-scale tasks put forward as part of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, which implies, in particular, the creation of a just and humane state, further improvement of the constitutional space, effectively providing reliable protection of rights and interests and human dignity.

Amendments and additions to the Constitution based on the principle of “person – society – state” reflect the national constitutional identity and provide for the introduction of fundamental changes in all sections of the current Basic Law.

– You also work as part of a working group to review the draft Constitutional Law. How is the process going?

– During the public discussion of the draft Constitutional Law being developed, more than 220,000 proposals were received through the 1341 call center, the Meningkonstitutsiyam.uz platform, as well as through the reception of citizens.

Despite the completion of the public discussion of the draft law, more than 2.5 thousand proposals have been sent by citizens and the general public to date to improve and supplement various articles of the Constitution, and they continue to be received to this day. All proposals are carefully studied by members of the commission and deputies.

The main attention is also paid to ensuring that the text of the draft law is presented clearly, in a form accessible to all, in compliance with legal terminology. This will eliminate the possibility of different interpretations of constitutional norms in the future.

– We know that it is planned to introduce a new norm into the Constitution, which will guarantee the protection of the rights and interests of young people. Is it so?

– It is. A completely new norm has been developed that strengthens the constitutional guarantees for the protection of the rights and interests of young people. Thus, it is proposed to include in the new article 651 a rule that the protection by the state of the personal, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights of young people and the promotion of their active participation in the life of the state and society is an important task of the state.

This article is also planned to be supplemented with a rule that the state should create conditions for young people's spiritual, intellectual, creative, physical and moral education and development, the realization of their right to education, healthcare, housing, employment and recreation.

Thus, today’s constitutional reforms are a necessary legal basis for sustainable development. As Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted, we have the right to be proud of the Constitution, which opened the way for us to build a free and prosperous life, which is the clearest manifestation of the political and legal thinking of the people, a reliable guarantor of human rights and freedoms. Our updated Basic Law will enshrine many fundamentally important issues and norms, thanks to which it will become a truly people’s Constitution.

Interviewed by Nigora Rakhmonova, UzA