The attitude towards private property in Uzbekistan has changed dramatically with independence.

The legal basis for the protection of the private property is enshrined in Article 53 of the Constitution of the country.

Private property and other forms of ownership are inviolable and protected by the state. The owner may be deprived of it only in cases and in the manner prescribed by law.

The program of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan states that from the point of view of the party, the property is the main condition, the most important guarantee of freedom, the source of all other human rights, the basis for the protection of citizens.

The owner of property acquired by honest labor must be the true owner of his property. This is an integral part of the protection of human rights and interests.

At the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reforms were carried out aimed at accelerating the development of entrepreneurship, comprehensive protection of private property and improving the quality of the business environment. One of the priorities of state bodies is the provision of freedom to small businesses and private entrepreneurship, the reduction of interference in their activities. In connection with the cases of seizure of land plots on which buildings and structures belonging to citizens and business entities were located, important measures were taken to further strengthen the guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of owners, eliminate shortcomings in compensation for damage, and ensure the inviolability of private property.

Under the Cabinet of Ministers, a fund has been created to cover the damage caused to citizens and business entities as a result of the seizure of land plots for the needs of the state and society. A procedure for mandatory coordination with the Fund for the seizure of land plots for the needs of the state and society, procedures for the seizure of land plots have been introduced, the responsibility of officials for the demolition of residential buildings and other buildings on the seized land plot has been increased until full compensation for damage at market value.

From January 1, 2020, the powers to seize land plots owned and used by individuals and legal entities for public and state needs have been transferred to the relevant local councils of people’s deputies. The Law “On introducing amendments and addenda to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with further strengthening of guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of owners” adopted on December 23, 2020, also reflects the norms that ensure the inviolability of private property.

In the current process of constitutional reforms, it is extremely important to consolidate in our Basic Law the criteria that reflect the essence and significance of the large-scale work carried out in the country in this direction.

Erkin Kholmatov,

Chairman of Jizzakh Regional Council of UzLiDeP,

Head of the Deputy Group of UzLiDeP in the Regional Council of People’s Deputies,

UzA