The referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the draft Constitutional Law “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, which will be held in Uzbekistan on April 30 this year, will become another important step for our people on the path of democratic reforms.

A high level of development of legal culture in society and the socio-political activity of citizens are one of significant conditions for democracy. Today, active processes are underway in every region of Uzbekistan to adopt a draft Constitutional law. The amendments to the renewed Constitution are widely supported by Uzbekistan people.

As is known, according to article 78 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Oliy Majlis has the right to adopt a draft Constitutional law “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan” without submitting it to a referendum. However, the fact that after the adoption of the draft law, it was decided to hold a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan serves to implement the constitutional principle of democracy and grant the people the right to express their will.

In accordance with the renewed Constitution, it is established that citizens have the right to receive higher education in state educational organizations on a competitive basis at the expense of the state.

Until 2017, the number of grant places in universities only decreased, and in the last five years, on the contrary, their number has increased significantly. In particular, over the past period, the number of state grants for higher education has increased by 75 percent and the number of state grants for girls from low-income families has doubled, as well as the practice of allocating state grants for training specialists in non-state higher education institutions has been introduced.

In accordance with the Constitutional Law, higher education institutions are granted the right to academic freedom, self-government, freedom of research and teaching. The definition of issues related to the higher education system at the Constitutional level serves to limit interference in this process from the outside, to become highly qualified university graduates, and to increase their competitiveness.

The renewed Constitution also defines that respect, observance, protection of the honor and dignity of a person, his rights and freedoms are the responsibility of the state. The Constitution provides for several new obligations of the State to ensure the welfare of the population, provide employment for citizens, protect them from unemployment, and reduce poverty.

The right of every citizen to housing is being strengthened, and this creates conditions for the realization of the right to receive housing for everyone, including young families, and increases the level of people's satisfaction with life. The procedure for providing housing for socially vulnerable categories of the population is determined by law.

As an Uzbek woman and mother, a representative of science, I fully approve the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan and believe that active participation in the referendum is a civic duty of all our compatriots. The renewed Constitution is our Constitution, the Constitution of all our people, and it will certainly serve the bright future.

Khabibakhon Jurabekova,

Head of Uzbek Language and Literature Department at Andijan Machine-Building Institute

UzA