Uzbekistan 2023

Preamble, Source of constitutional authority, Motives for writing constitution

PREAMBLE

We, the unified people of Uzbekistan,

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

Reference to fraternity/solidarity

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

Human dignity

recognizing our high responsibility before the present and future generations for the establishment of a humane democratic state, and of an open and just society, in which the human being, their life, freedom, honor, and dignity are recognized as the highest values,

Reference to science, Reference to country's history

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

Protection of environment

firmly committing ourselves to the enhancement and careful preservation of our country’s priceless natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations, and to the protection of environmental integrity,

Customary international law, International law

proceeding from the generally recognized principles and norms of international law,

seeking to strengthen and develop Uzbekistan’s friendly relations with the international community, first and foremost with neighboring states, on the basis of cooperation, mutual support, peace, and harmony,

Integration of ethnic communities, Right to reasonable standard of living

with the aim of ensuring a decent standard of living for citizens, interethnic and interconfessional harmony, and the prosperity and flourishing of our multinational and beloved Uzbekistan,

hereby adopt and proclaim this Constitution.

SECTION ONE. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Chapter I. State Sovereignty

Article 1.

Type of government envisioned, Separation of church and state

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

The names “Republic of Uzbekistan” and “Uzbekistan” shall have the same meaning.

Article 2.

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

Article 3.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall determine its national-state and administrative-territorial structure, establish the system of state authorities, and implement its domestic and foreign policy.

The state border and territory of Uzbekistan shall be inviolable and indivisible.

Article 4.

Official or national languages

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

Protection of language use, Right to culture, Integration of ethnic communities

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall ensure respect for the languages, customs, and traditions of the nations and ethnic groups residing within its territory and shall create conditions for their development.

National flag, National anthem

Article 5.

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

State symbols shall be protected by the State.

National capital

Article 6.

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

Chapter II. People’s Sovereignty

Article 7.

The people shall be the sole source of state power.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, state power shall be exercised exclusively in the interests of the people and only by bodies authorized by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and by laws adopted on the basis thereof.

The usurpation of state power, the suspension or termination of the activities of state authorities, or the establishment of new or parallel bodies of power in a manner not provided for by the Constitution shall be deemed unconstitutional and shall constitute grounds for liability in accordance with the law.

Article 8.

The people of Uzbekistan shall consist of the citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their nationality.

Referenda

Article 9.

The most important issues of the life of society and the State shall be submitted to public discussion and put to a nationwide vote — a referendum.

The procedure for holding a referendum in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be prescribed by law.

Article 10.

Only the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President elected by the people may act on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan.

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

Article 11.

The system of state power of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be based on the principle of the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Article 12.

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

Separation of church and state

No ideology may be established as a state ideology.

Article 13.

Human dignity, Inalienable rights

Democracy in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be based on universal principles, according to which the human being and their life, freedom, honor, dignity, and other inalienable rights are recognized as the highest values.

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

Reference to fraternity/solidarity

Article 14.

The State shall conduct its activities on the basis of the principles of legality, social justice, and solidarity, with the aim of ensuring human well-being and the sustainable development of society.

Chapter III. Supremacy of the Constitution and the Law

Article 15.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the supremacy of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be unconditionally recognized.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have supreme legal force throughout the entire territory of the country, shall have direct effect, and shall constitute the foundation of the unified legal space.

International law, Customary international law

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

Legal status of treaties, International law

Where an international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes rules different from those provided for by the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the rules of the international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall apply.

Duty to obey the constitution

The State and its bodies, other organizations, officials, institutions of civil society, and citizens shall act in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.

Article 16.

No provision of this Constitution may be interpreted in a manner that would prejudice the rights and interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan or the fundamental principles and norms set forth in Section One of this Constitution.

The laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other normative legal acts shall be adopted on the basis of, and for the purpose of implementing, the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. No law or other normative legal act may contravene the principles and norms of the Constitution.

Chapter IV. Foreign Policy

International law

Article 17.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall be a full-fledged subject of international law.

International law, Customary international law

The foreign policy of Uzbekistan shall be based on the principles of the sovereign equality of states, the non-use of force or the threat of force, the inviolability of borders, the territorial integrity of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, noninterference in the internal affairs of other states, as well as on other generally recognized principles and norms of international law.

Article 18.

International organizations

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.

Proceeding from the supreme interests of the State and the people, and from their well-being and security, the Republic of Uzbekistan may enter into alliances, join commonwealths and other interstate formations, and withdraw therefrom.

SECTION TWO. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, FREEDOMS, AND DUTIES OF THE HUMAN BEING AND THE CITIZEN

Chapter V. General Provisions

Article 19.

Inalienable rights, Customary international law, International law

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, human rights and freedoms shall be recognized and guaranteed in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international law and in conformity with this Constitution. Human rights and freedoms shall belong to everyone from birth.

General guarantee of equality, Equality regardless of gender, Equality regardless of race, Equality regardless of nationality, Equality regardless of language, Equality regardless of religion, Equality regardless of creed or belief, Equality regardless of social status

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, all citizens shall have equal rights and freedoms and shall be equal before the law regardless of sex, race, nationality, language, religion, beliefs, social origin, or social status.

Privileges may be established only in accordance with the law and shall 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 obligations.

Human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and laws shall be inviolable, and no one shall be deprived of or restricted in such rights and freedoms without a court decision.

Binding effect of const rights

Human rights and freedoms shall have direct effect. They shall determine the essence and content of laws and the activities of state bodies, bodies of citizens’ self-government, and their officials.

Legal measures applied by state bodies in relation to the human being shall be based on the principle of proportionality and shall be sufficient to achieve the purposes prescribed by law.

All conflicts and ambiguities in legislation arising in relations between the human being and state bodies shall be interpreted in favor of the human being.

Article 21.

Right to development of personality

Everyone shall have the right to the free development of their personality. No obligation not prescribed by law may be imposed on anyone without their consent.

In exercising their rights and freedoms, a person shall not prejudice the rights and freedoms and the lawful interests of other persons, society, or the State.

Human rights and freedoms may be restricted only in accordance with the law and only to the extent necessary for the protection of the constitutional order, public health, social morality, the rights and freedoms of other persons, and for ensuring public security and public order.

Chapter VI. Citizenship

Article 22.

A single citizenship shall be established throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be equal for all, regardless of the grounds on which it was acquired.

A citizen of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall at the same time be deemed a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Requirements for naturalization, Conditions for revoking citizenship

The grounds for the acquisition and loss of citizenship, as well as the procedure therefor, shall be determined by law.

Article 23.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall guarantee the protection of its citizens both within its territory and beyond its borders.

Extradition procedure

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not be forcibly expelled from Uzbekistan or extradited to another state.

Customary international law, International law

The State shall, in accordance with the norms of international law, take care to maintain and develop relations with compatriots residing abroad.

International law

Article 24.

Customary international law

The rights and freedoms of foreign citizens and stateless persons within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be ensured in accordance with the norms of international law. They shall fulfill the duties prescribed by the Constitution, laws, and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Chapter VII. Personal Rights and Freedoms

Article 25.

Right to life, Inalienable rights

The right to life is an inalienable right of every human being and shall be protected by law. An attempt on human life shall constitute the gravest crime.

Prohibition of capital punishment

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

Article 26.

Human dignity

The honor and dignity of the human being shall be inviolable. Nothing may serve as a basis for their degradation.

Prohibition of torture, Prohibition of cruel treatment, Prohibition of corporal punishment

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

Reference to science

No one may be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without their consent.

Protection from unjustified restraint

Article 27.

Everyone shall have the right to liberty and personal inviolability.

No one may be arrested, detained, taken into custody, held in custody, or otherwise deprived of liberty except on the basis of law.

Arrest, detention, and holding in custody shall be permitted only pursuant to a court decision. A person may not be detained for more than forty-eight hours without a court decision.

Trial in native language of accused

At the time of detention, a person shall be informed, in a language he or she understands, of their rights and the grounds for the detention.

Article 28.

Presumption of innocence in trials, Right to public trial

A person accused of committing a crime shall be presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law through a public court hearing and established by a court verdict that has entered into legal force. The accused shall be ensured all opportunities for defense.

All doubts relating to guilt, where the possibilities for eliminating such doubts have been exhausted, shall be resolved in favor of the suspect, the accused, the defendant, or the convicted person.

Protection from self-incrimination

A suspect, accused, or defendant shall not be obliged to prove their innocence and may exercise the right to remain silent at any time.

Protection from self-incrimination

No one shall be compelled to testify against themselves or against close relatives.

Presumption of innocence in trials

If a confession of guilt by a person constitutes the sole evidence against him or her, such person may not be found guilty or subjected to punishment.

Human dignity

Persons deprived of liberty shall have the right to humane treatment and to respect for the honor and dignity inherent in the human person.

A person’s criminal conviction and the legal consequences arising therefrom may not serve as a basis for restricting the rights of their relatives.

Article 29.

Right to counsel

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

Right to counsel

Every person shall have the right, at any stage of criminal proceedings, and in the case of detention—from the moment when the right to freedom of movement is effectively restricted—to use the assistance of a lawyer of their choice.

Right to examine evidence/witnesses, Trial in native language of accused

A suspect, accused, or defendant shall have the right to be informed of the substance and grounds of the accusation, to request the examination of persons testifying against him or her or in their favor, and to use the assistance of an interpreter.

Regulation of evidence collection

Evidence obtained in violation of the law shall not be admissible in the administration of justice.

Right to appeal judicial decisions

Everyone convicted of a crime shall have the right, in the manner prescribed by law, to have the verdict reviewed by a higher court, as well as the right to petition for pardon or mitigation of punishment.

Protection of victim's rights

The rights of victims of offenses shall be protected by law. The State shall ensure the protection of victims and access to justice, and shall create conditions for compensation for the damage caused to them.

Article 30.

Principle of no punishment without law

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

Prohibition of double jeopardy

No one may be convicted more than once for the same crime.

Right to privacy

Article 31.

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

Telecommunications

Everyone shall have the right to the confidentiality of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, electronic, and other communications. Restriction of this right shall be permitted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.

Everyone shall have the right to the protection of personal data, as well as the right to demand the correction of inaccurate information and the deletion of information about themselves that has been unlawfully collected or that has lost its legal basis.

Everyone shall have the right to the inviolability of the home.

Regulation of evidence collection

No one may enter a dwelling against the will of the persons residing therein. Entry into a dwelling, as well as seizure and inspection therein, shall be permitted only in the cases and in the manner provided for by law. A search of a dwelling shall be permitted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.

Freedom of movement

Article 32.

Everyone lawfully present within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to freedom of movement throughout the country and to choose their place of residence and place of stay, except as restricted by law.

Everyone shall have the right freely to leave Uzbekistan, except as restricted by law. A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to return to Uzbekistan without hindrance.

Freedom of expression

Article 33.

Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience

Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, speech, and belief.

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

Right to information

The State shall create conditions to ensure access to and use of the global information network of the Internet.

Restriction of the right to seek, receive, and disseminate information shall be permitted only in accordance with the law and only to the extent necessary for the protection of the constitutional order, public health, social morality, the rights and freedoms of other persons, for ensuring public security and public order, and for preventing the disclosure of state secrets or other secrets protected by law.

Right to information

Article 34.

State bodies and organizations, bodies of citizens’ self-government, and their officials shall ensure that everyone has access to documents, decisions, and other materials affecting their rights and lawful interests.

Freedom of religion

Article 35.

Freedom of religion shall be guaranteed to everyone. Everyone shall have the right to profess any religion or to profess none. The forcible imposition of religious views shall not be permitted.

Chapter VIII. Political Rights

Article 36.

Claim of universal suffrage, Referenda

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the State directly and through their representatives. Such participation shall be exercised through self-government, the holding of referendums, the democratic formation of state bodies, as well as through public oversight of the activities of state bodies.

The procedure for exercising public oversight over the activities of state bodies shall be determined by law.

Article 37.

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

Restrictions related to the performance of public service shall be prescribed by law.

Freedom of assembly

Article 38.

Citizens shall have the right, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to exercise their social activity in the form of meetings, assemblies, and demonstrations.

State authorities shall have the right to suspend or prohibit such events solely on grounds of security.

Article 39.

Freedom of association, Right to form political parties, Right to join trade unions

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

No one may discriminate against the rights, freedoms, or dignity of persons constituting a minority in political parties, public associations, mass movements, as well as in representative bodies of state power.

Article 40.

Right of petition

Everyone shall have the right, individually or jointly, to submit petitions, proposals, and complaints to state bodies and organizations, bodies of citizens’ self-government, officials, or representatives of the people.

Petitions, proposals, and complaints shall be examined in the manner and within the time limits prescribed by law.

Chapter IX. Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights

Article 41.

Right to own property

Everyone shall have the right to own property.

Right to transfer property

The confidentiality of banking operations, deposits, and accounts, as well as the right of inheritance, shall be guaranteed by law.

Article 42.

Right to work, Right to choose occupation, Right to safe work environment, Right to just remuneration, Right to reasonable standard of living

Everyone shall have the right to decent work, to freely choose their profession and type of activity, to work in favorable working conditions that meet requirements of safety and hygiene, to receive fair remuneration for work without any discrimination and not less than the minimum wage prescribed by law, as well as the right to protection against unemployment in the manner prescribed by law.

Right to reasonable standard of living

The minimum wage shall be established with due regard to the need to ensure a decent standard of living for the human being.

Equality regardless of gender

Refusal to employ women, dismissal from employment, or reduction of wages on grounds of pregnancy or the presence of a child shall be prohibited.

Article 43.

State support for the unemployed

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

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

Article 44.

Prohibition of slavery

Forced labor shall be prohibited, except for the execution of a punishment imposed by a court judgment or in other cases provided for by law.

Limits on employment of children

All forms of child labor that pose a threat to a child’s health, safety, morality, or mental and physical development, including those that hinder the child’s education, shall be prohibited.

Right to rest and leisure

Article 45.

Everyone shall have the right to rest.

For employees, the right to rest shall be ensured through the establishment of working hours, rest days and non-working public holidays, and paid annual leave.

Article 46.

State support for the elderly, State support for the unemployed, State support for the disabled

Everyone shall have the right to social security in old age, in the event of loss of working capacity, unemployment, loss of a breadwinner, and in other cases provided for by law.

The amounts of pensions, allowances, and other types of social assistance prescribed by law may not be lower than the officially established minimum consumer expenditures.

Right to shelter

Article 47.

Everyone shall have the right to housing.

Protection from expropriation

No one may be deprived of housing without a court decision or in violation of the law. An owner deprived of housing shall be ensured prior and equivalent compensation for the value of the housing and for the losses incurred, in the cases and in the manner provided for by law.

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

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

Right to health care

Article 48.

Everyone shall have the right to health protection and to use qualified medical services.

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

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

The State shall create conditions for the development of physical culture and sport and for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among the population.

Protection of environment

Article 49.

Right to information

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

In order to ensure the environmental rights of citizens and to prevent harmful impacts on the environment, the State shall create conditions for the exercise of public oversight in the field of urban development activities.

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

In accordance with the principle of sustainable development, the State shall implement measures to improve, restore, and protect the environment and to preserve ecological balance.

The State shall take measures to protect and restore the ecological system of the Aral Sea region and to promote the social and economic development of the 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, and public and non-public educational institutions.

The State shall create conditions for the development of preschool education and upbringing.

Free education, Compulsory education

The State shall guarantee free general secondary education and primary vocational education. General secondary education shall be compulsory.

Preschool education and upbringing, as well as general secondary education, shall be under state supervision.

State support for the disabled

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

Article 51.

Access to higher education

Citizens shall have the right, on a competitive basis, to receive higher education in public educational institutions at the expense of the State.

Right to academic freedom

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

Article 52.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the work of teachers shall be recognized as the foundation for the development of society and the State, the formation and upbringing of a healthy and harmoniously developed generation, and the preservation and enrichment of the spiritual and cultural potential of the people.

The State shall protect the honor and dignity of teachers and take care of their social and material well-being and professional development.

Reference to science, Right to culture

Article 53.

Right to academic freedom, Provisions for intellectual property

Freedom of scientific, technical, and artistic creativity, as well as the right to make use of the achievements of culture, shall be guaranteed to everyone. Intellectual property shall be protected by law.

The State shall take care of the cultural, scientific, and technical development of society.

Chapter X. Guarantees of Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms

Article 54.

Ensuring human rights and freedoms shall be the supreme purpose of the State.

The State shall ensure the rights and freedoms of the human being and the citizen enshrined in the Constitution and the laws.

Article 55.

Everyone shall have the right to protect their rights and freedoms by all means not prohibited by law.

Ultra-vires administrative actions

Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to judicial protection of their rights and freedoms, including the right to lodge complaints with a court against unlawful decisions, actions, or inaction of state bodies and other organizations and their officials.

Right to fair trial, Right to speedy trial

Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to have their case, for the restoration of violated rights and freedoms, examined within the time limits prescribed by law by a competent, independent, and impartial court.

International law

In accordance with the legislation and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, everyone shall have the right, after exhausting all available domestic legal remedies, to apply to international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms.

Ultra-vires administrative actions

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

Human rights commission

Article 56.

National human rights institutions shall complement existing forms and means of protecting human rights and freedoms, and shall contribute to the development of civil society and to the enhancement of a culture of human rights.

The State shall create conditions for the organization and functioning of national human rights institutions.

State support for the unemployed, State support for the elderly, State support for the disabled

Article 57.

The rights of persons incapable of work and lonely elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and other socially vulnerable categories of the population shall be under state protection.

The State shall take measures aimed at improving the quality of life of socially vulnerable categories of the population, creating conditions for their full participation in the life of society and the State, and expanding their opportunities to independently meet their basic needs.

Equality for persons with disabilities

The State shall create conditions to ensure that persons with disabilities have full access to facilities and services in the social, economic, and cultural spheres, shall promote their employment and education, and shall ensure their unhindered access to the information they require.

Equality regardless of gender

Article 58.

Women and men shall have equal rights.

The State shall ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the management of the affairs of society and the State, as well as in other spheres of the life of society and the State.

Chapter XI. Duties of Citizens

Duty to obey the constitution

Article 59.

All citizens shall perform the duties prescribed by the Constitution.

Duty to obey the constitution

Article 60.

Citizens shall be obliged to comply with the Constitution and the laws and to respect the rights, freedoms, honor, and dignity of other human beings.

Right to culture, Reference to science

Article 61.

Citizens shall preserve the historical, spiritual, cultural, scientific, and natural heritage of the people of Uzbekistan.

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

Protection of environment

Article 62.

Citizens shall be obliged to treat the natural environment with care.

Article 63.

Duty to pay taxes

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

Taxes and fees shall be fair and shall not impede the exercise of citizens’ constitutional rights.

Duty to serve in the military

Article 64.

The defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the duty of every citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Citizens shall be obliged to perform military or alternative service in the manner prescribed by law.

SECTION THREE. SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL

Chapter XII. Economic Foundations of Society

Article 65.

Right to competitive marketplace, Right to establish a business, Protection of consumers

The economic foundation of Uzbekistan, aimed at increasing the well-being of citizens, shall consist of diverse forms of property. The State shall create conditions for the development of market relations and fair competition and shall guarantee freedom of economic activity, entrepreneurship, and labor, taking into account the priority of consumers’ rights.

Right to own property

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, equality of all forms of property and their legal protection shall be ensured.

Right to own property, Protection from expropriation

Private property shall be inviolable. An owner may not be deprived of their property otherwise than in the cases and in the manner provided for by law and on the basis of a court decision.

Right to own property, Right to transfer property, Protection of environment

Article 66.

An owner shall, at their discretion, possess, use, and dispose of property belonging to him or her. The use of property shall not cause harm to the environment or violate the rights and lawful interests of other persons, society, or the State.

Article 67.

Right to establish a business

The State shall ensure a favorable investment and business environment.

Right to establish a business, Right to choose occupation

Entrepreneurs shall have the right, in accordance with the law, to carry out any activity and to independently choose the directions of their activity.

Freedom of movement

Within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the unity of the economic space and the free movement of goods, services, labor resources, and financial assets shall be guaranteed.

Right to competitive marketplace

Monopolistic activity shall be regulated and restricted by law.

Ownership of natural resources

Article 68.

Protection of environment

Land, subsoil resources, water, flora and fauna, as well as other natural resources, shall constitute national wealth; their rational use shall be required, and they shall be under state protection.

Right to own property

Land may be privately owned under the conditions and in the manner provided for by law, ensuring its rational use and its 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 citizens’ self-government, and the mass media, shall constitute the foundation of civil society.

The activities of institutions of civil society shall be carried out in accordance with the law.

Freedom of association, Right to join trade unions, Right to form political parties

Article 70.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, trade unions, political parties, associations of scholars, women’s organizations, organizations of veterans, youth and persons with disabilities, creative unions, mass movements, as well as other associations of citizens shall be recognized as public associations.

The dissolution of public associations and the prohibition or restriction of their activities shall be carried out only on the basis of a court decision.

Article 71.

Prohibited political parties

The establishment and activities of political parties and other non-governmental non-profit organizations that seek to forcibly change the constitutional order; that encroach upon the state sovereignty, territorial integrity, or security of Uzbekistan; that propagate war or social, national, racial, or religious hatred; or that infringe upon the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, public health, or public morality, shall be prohibited. The establishment and activities of political parties formed on national or religious grounds, as well as of militarized associations, shall be prohibited.

Freedom of association

The establishment of secret societies and associations shall be prohibited.

Freedom of association

Article 72.

The State shall ensure respect for the rights and lawful interests of non-governmental non-profit organizations and shall create equal legal opportunities for their participation in the life of society.

Interference by state bodies and officials in the activities 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 not be permitted.

Right to join trade unions

Article 73.

Trade unions shall express and protect the social and economic rights and interests of employees. Membership in trade unions shall be voluntary.

Right to form political parties, Restrictions on political parties

Article 74.

Political parties shall express the political will of various social strata and groups and shall participate in the formation of state power through their democratically elected representatives. Political parties shall submit public reports, in the manner prescribed by law, on the sources of financing of their activities to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan or to a body authorized by it.

Article 75.

Separation of church and state

Religious organizations shall be separated from the State and shall be equal before the law. The State shall not interfere in the activities of religious organizations.

Freedom of religion

The State shall guarantee the freedom of activity of religious organizations operating in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

Chapter XIV. Family, Children, and Youth

Article 76.

Right to found a family

The family shall be the fundamental unit of society and shall be under the protection of society and the State.

Regulation of marriage, Provision for matrimonial equality

Marriage shall be based on the traditional family values of the people of Uzbekistan, the voluntary consent of the spouses, and their equality.

Right to found a family

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

Article 77.

Rights or duties of parents

Parents and persons substituting for them shall be obliged to support their children until they reach majority and to care for their upbringing, education, and healthy, full, and comprehensive development.

Rights of children, State support for children

The State and society shall ensure the maintenance, upbringing, education, and healthy, full, and comprehensive development of orphaned children and children deprived of parental care and shall, for this purpose, encourage charitable activities.

Rights of children

Article 78.

Equality regardless of parentage

Children shall be equal before the law regardless of the origin and civil status of their parents.

Ensuring and protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful interests of the child, as well as creating the best conditions for the child’s full physical, intellectual, and cultural development, shall be an obligation of the State.

Rights or duties of parents

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

The State and society shall take care to foster in children and youth devotion to national and universal values, pride in their country and in the rich cultural heritage of the people, and feelings of patriotism and love for the Motherland.

Rights of children

Article 79.

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

The State shall create conditions for the intellectual, creative, physical, and moral formation and development of youth and for the realization of their rights to education, health protection, housing, employment, employment security, and rest.

Rights or duties of parents

Article 80.

Able-bodied adult children shall be obliged to care for their parents.

Chapter XV. Mass Media

Freedom of press

Article 81.

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

The State shall guarantee the freedom of activity of the mass media and the exercise of their rights to seek, receive, use, and disseminate information.

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

Freedom of press

Article 82.

Censorship shall not be permitted.

Obstructing or interfering with the activities of the mass media shall give rise to liability in accordance with the law.

SECTION FOUR. ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL AND STATE STRUCTURE

Chapter XVI. Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 83.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of regions, districts, cities, towns, villages, rural settlements, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Article 84.

Changes to the boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, and the city of Tashkent, as well as the establishment and dissolution of regions, cities, and districts, shall be carried out with the consent of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Chapter XVII. The Republic of Karakalpakstan

Subsidiary unit government

Article 85.

The sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan shall form part of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

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

Article 86.

Subsidiary unit government

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have its own Constitution.

National vs subnational laws

The Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

National vs subnational laws

Article 87.

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

Subsidiary unit government

Article 88.

The territory and borders of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not be altered without its consent. The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall independently resolve issues of its administrative-territorial structure.

Secession of territory

Article 89.

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nationwide referendum of the people of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Subsidiary unit government

Article 90.

International law

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

Disputes between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be resolved through diplomatic means.

SECTION FIVE. ORGANIZATION OF STATE POWER

Chapter XVIII. The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Article 91.

Structure of legislative chamber(s)

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

Structure of legislative chamber(s)

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

Term length for first chamber, Term length of second chamber

The term of office of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be five years.

Article 92.

Size of first chamber

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

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

Size of second chamber

Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected, by secret ballot, from among the deputies of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, and cities, at their respective joint meetings, in equal numbers—four from each of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions, and the city of Tashkent. 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 respected citizens with great practical experience and special merit in the fields of science, art, literature, industry, and other areas of state and public activity.

Eligibility for first chamber, Eligibility for second chamber, Outside professions of legislators, Age restrictions on first chamber, Age restrictions on second chamber

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan who has attained the age of twenty-five on the day of elections and has resided permanently in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan for at least five years may be a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The requirements for candidates for deputy shall be determined by law. The same person may not simultaneously be a deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not simultaneously be a deputy of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan or of the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, and cities.

Article 93.

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

  1. Constitution amendment procedure
    adopting the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and introducing amendments and additions thereto;
  2. adopting constitutional laws and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and introducing amendments and additions thereto;
  3. Treaty ratification, International law
    ratifying and repeal international treaties;
  4. Referenda
    adopting resolutions on holding a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan and setting the date for its conduct;
  5. determining the main directions of the domestic and foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and adopting state strategic programs;
  6. determining the system and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  7. Accession of territory, Secession of territory
    approving decisions on the admission of new state entities into the Republic of Uzbekistan and on their withdrawal from the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  8. regulating customs, currency, and credit matters by law;
  9. Budget bills
    adopting the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon submission by the Cabinet of Ministers and introducing amendments and additions thereto;
  10. determining the maximum amount of the state debt of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  11. Tax bills
    introducing taxes and other mandatory payments;
  12. regulating by law matters of the administrative-territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan and changing its boundaries;
  13. establishing and abolishing districts, cities, and regions, and changing their names and boundaries;
  14. establishing state awards and titles;
  15. Electoral commission
    forming the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  16. Ombudsman
    electing the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and their Deputy;
  17. Power to declare/approve war, Head of state decree power
    approving decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on declaring a state of war in the event of an attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or where it becomes necessary to fulfill obligations under treaties on mutual defense against aggression;
  18. Emergency provisions, Head of state decree power
    approving decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on declaring general or partial mobilization, introducing a state of emergency, extending its duration, or terminating it;
  19. hearing the annual national report on combating corruption in the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  20. Legislative oversight of the executive
    conducting parliamentary inquiries;
  21. exercising other powers provided by this Constitution and laws. As a rule, matters falling within the joint powers of the chambers shall be considered first by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and then by the Senate.

Article 94.

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

  1. Legislative oversight of the executive
    exercising oversight over the execution of the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  2. reviewing the report of the Accounts Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  3. Head of government selection
    considering and approving the candidate of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  4. Legislative oversight of the executive
    hearing reports of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on pressing issues of the country’s socio-economic development, as well as reports of members of the Cabinet of Ministers on matters relating to their activities;
  5. Cabinet selection
    considering and approving candidates for membership in the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  6. Legislative oversight of the executive
    hearing the annual report of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the most important issues of the socio-economic life of the country;
  7. Legislative oversight of the executive
    submitting parliamentary inquiries to officials of state bodies and exercising other forms of parliamentary oversight;
  8. Leader of first chamber, Legislative committees
    electing the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their Deputies, as well as the Chairs of committees and their Deputies;
  9. Immunity of legislators
    resolving issues concerning the deprivation of a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of immunity upon submission by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  10. adopting resolutions on matters related to the organization of its activities and the internal rules of procedure of the chamber;
  11. adopting resolutions on particular issues in the sphere of political and socio-economic life, as well as on matters of the domestic and foreign policy of the State;
  12. exercising other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.
Dismissal of the legislature

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may decide to dissolve itself by a majority vote of at least 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 the following:

  1. Constitutional court selection, Supreme court selection, Establishment of judicial council, Counter corruption commission
    electing, upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Head of the republican body for combating corruption, and the Head of the republican antimonopoly body;
  2. Attorney general
    considering and approving candidates for the offices of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairperson of the Accounts Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  3. holding consultations on the candidate for the office of Chairperson of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  4. Foreign affairs representative, International organizations
    appointing and dismissing heads of diplomatic and other representative missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states and international organizations upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  5. Central bank
    appointing and dismissing the Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  6. Establishment of cabinet/ministers, Head of state decree power
    approving decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment and dissolution of ministries and other republican executive authorities;
  7. Power to pardon
    adopting acts of amnesty upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  8. Attorney general, Central bank
    hearing 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. International organizations
    hearing reports of heads of diplomatic and other representative missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states and international organizations on matters relating to their activities;
  10. Legislative oversight of the executive
    submitting parliamentary inquiries to officials of state bodies and exercising other forms of parliamentary oversight;
  11. assisting representative bodies of local state authority in carrying out their activities;
  12. Federal review of subnational legislation
    annulling acts of representative bodies of local state authority that do not comply with legislative norms;
  13. Leader of second chamber, Legislative committees
    electing the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their Deputies, as well as the Chairs of committees and their Deputies;
  14. Immunity of legislators
    resolving issues concerning the deprivation of a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of immunity upon submission by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  15. adopting decisions on matters related to the organization of its activities and the internal rules of procedure of the chamber;
  16. adopting resolutions on particular issues in the political and socioeconomic spheres, as well as on matters of the domestic and foreign policy of the State;
  17. exercising the powers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan to adopt laws during the period when the Legislative Chamber has been dissolved, with the exception of the Constitution and constitutional laws;
  18. exercising other powers provided by this Constitution and laws.
Dismissal of the legislature

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may decide to dissolve itself by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of senators.

Article 96.

Upon the expiration of their term of office, the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall continue to exercise their functions until the newly elected Legislative Chamber and Senate of the new convocation commence their work.

Length of legislative sessions

The first sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convened by the Central Election Commission no later than two months after the elections to the Legislative Chamber and no later than one month after the formation of the Senate, respectively.

Length of legislative sessions

The sittings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be held during sessions. As a rule, sessions shall be held from the first working day of September until the last working day of June of the following year.

Length of legislative sessions

The sittings of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be held as necessary, but at least three times a year.

Quorum for legislative sessions

Sittings of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be deemed quorate if more than half of the total number of deputies or senators are present.

Quorum for legislative sessions, Supermajority required for legislation

For the adoption of constitutional laws, the participation of at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies and senators shall be required.

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

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall hold separate sittings.

Joint meetings of legislative chambers

Joint sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be held when the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan takes the oath of office, when the President addresses the most important issues of the socio-economic life of the country and of domestic and foreign policy, and when heads of foreign states deliver addresses. By agreement of the chambers, joint sittings may also be held on other matters.

Article 97.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall adopt resolutions on matters within their competence.

Resolutions of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be adopted by a majority vote of the total number of deputies or senators, except in cases provided for by this Constitution.

Article 98.

Initiation of general legislation, Subsidiary unit government, Constitutional court powers, Supreme court powers

The right of legislative initiative shall belong to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan through its supreme representative body, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall also have the right of legislative initiative with respect to matters within their competence.

Initiation of general legislation

The right of legislative initiative shall be exercised by submitting draft laws to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the subjects of the right of legislative initiative.

Initiation of general legislation, Legislative initiatives by citizens

Not fewer than one hundred thousand citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who possess the right to vote, 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), and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to submit legislative proposals to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the procedure of legislative initiative.

The procedure for submitting and considering draft laws and legislative proposals shall be determined by law.

Division of labor between chambers, Approval or veto of general legislation

Article 99.

A law shall acquire legal force after it has been adopted by the Legislative Chamber, approved by the Senate, signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and officially promulgated in the manner prescribed by law.

A law adopted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be transmitted to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan no later than ten days from the date of its adoption.

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

If the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan does not adopt a decision to approve or reject a law within sixty days, the law shall be transmitted by the Legislative Chamber to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signing and promulgation.

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

A 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.

If, upon reconsideration of a law rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Legislative Chamber again approves the law by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies, the law shall be deemed adopted by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and shall be transmitted by the Legislative Chamber to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signing and promulgation.

With respect to a law rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Legislative Chamber and the Senate may establish a conciliation commission composed, on an equal basis, of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate in order to resolve the disagreements that have arisen. If the chambers accept the proposals of the conciliation commission, the law shall be considered in the ordinary procedure.

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

Veto override procedure

If the law is approved in its previously adopted version by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall sign and promulgate the law within fourteen days.

The promulgation of laws and other normative legal acts shall be a mandatory condition for their application.

Leader of first chamber

Article 100.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect, from among its members, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber and their Deputies.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their Deputies shall be elected for the term of office of the Legislative Chamber by secret ballot by a majority vote of the total number of deputies.

The same person may not hold the office of Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their Deputies may be recalled before the expiry of their term of office by a decision of the Legislative Chamber adopted by secret ballot by more than twothirds of the total number of deputies.

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

  1. convene sittings of the Legislative Chamber and preside over them;
  2. provide overall leadership in preparing matters to be submitted for consideration by the Legislative Chamber;
  3. Legislative committees
    coordinate the activities of the committees and commissions of the Legislative Chamber;
  4. organize oversight over the implementation of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the resolutions of the Legislative Chamber;
  5. lead work on inter-parliamentary relations and the activities of Legislative Chamber groups related to the work of international parliamentary organizations;
  6. act on behalf of the Legislative Chamber in relations 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 laws. The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue directives.
Leader of second chamber

Article 101.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect, from among its members, the Chairperson of the Senate and their Deputies. The Chairperson of the Senate shall be elected upon submission by 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 of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

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

The same person may not hold the office of Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their Deputies may be recalled before the expiry of their term of office by a resolution of the Senate adopted by secret ballot by more than two-thirds of the total number of senators.

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

  1. convene sittings of the Senate and preside over them;
  2. provide overall leadership in preparing matters to be submitted for consideration by the Senate;
  3. Legislative committees
    coordinate the activities of the committees and commissions of the Senate;
  4. organize oversight over the implementation of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the decisions of the Senate;
  5. lead work on inter-parliamentary relations and the activities of Senate groups related to the work of international parliamentary organizations;
  6. act on behalf of the Senate in relations 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 laws. The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue directives.
Legislative committees

Article 102.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect, from among its deputies and for the duration of its term of office, committees to carry out the preparation of draft laws, to conduct preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Legislative Chamber, and to exercise oversight over the implementation of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the resolutions adopted by the Legislative Chamber.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect, from among its members and for the duration of its term of office, committees to conduct preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Senate, and to exercise oversight over the implementation of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the resolutions adopted by the Senate.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may, where necessary, establish commissions from among deputies and senators to perform specific tasks.

Legislative oversight of the executive

Article 103.

For the purpose of examining facts and events that may adversely affect the foundations of the country’s security and sustainable development, and that pose threats to human rights and freedoms and to the interests of society and the State, a parliamentary inquiry may be conducted by a joint resolution of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

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

Article 104.

Compensation of legislators

Expenses related to the performance of deputy or senatorial duties of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be reimbursed in the manner prescribed by law.

Outside professions of legislators, Reference to science

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate who work on a permanent basis may not engage, during their term of office, in any other remunerated activity except for scientific, creative, and pedagogical activities.

Immunity of legislators

A deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall enjoy immunity. They may not, without the consent of the Legislative Chamber or the Senate, respectively, be subjected to criminal liability, detained, taken into custody, or subjected to administrative penalties imposed by a court.

Chapter XIX. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Name/structure of executive(s)

Article 105.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the Head of State and shall ensure the coordinated functioning and cooperation of the bodies of state power.

Article 106.

Eligibility for head of state, Head of state term limits, Age restrictions on head of state

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan who is not younger than thirty-five years of age, has a good command of the state language, and has permanently resided in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan for at least ten years immediately prior to the election may be elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The same person may not serve as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

Head of state selection, Head of state term length, Claim of universal suffrage, Secret ballot

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

Article 107.

While performing their duties, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not hold any other remunerated office, be a deputy of a representative body, or engage in entrepreneurial activity.

Head of state immunity

The person of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be inviolable and shall be protected by law.

Oaths to abide by constitution

Article 108.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be deemed to have assumed office from the moment of taking the following oath at a sitting of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

“I solemnly swear to serve the people of Uzbekistan faithfully, to strictly observe the Constitution and laws of the Republic, to guarantee the rights and freedoms of citizens, and to conscientiously fulfill the duties entrusted to me as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

Article 109.

Head of state powers

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

  1. be the guarantor of the observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens and of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and take necessary measures to implement decisions on matters of the national-state structure;
  2. Foreign affairs representative
    represent the Republic of Uzbekistan domestically and in internationally;
  3. Treaty ratification
    conduct negotiations and sign treaties and agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and ensure compliance with treaties, agreements, and obligations undertaken by the Republic;
  4. receive letters of credence and recall of diplomatic and other representatives accredited to him or her;
  5. International organizations
    submit to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan candidates for appointment as heads of diplomatic and other representative missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states and international organizations;
  6. address the people of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Oliy Majlis on the most important issues of the implementation of domestic and foreign policy;
  7. Head of state decree power
    establish and dissolve ministries and other republican executive authorities, and subsequently submit decrees on these matters for approval by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  8. submit to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan a candidate for election to the office of Chairperson of the Senate;
  9. Cabinet selection, Head of government selection, Head of government removal, Cabinet removal
    appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and members of the Cabinet of Ministers after their approval by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  10. appoint and dismiss, in accordance with legislation, the heads of committees, agencies, and other republican state bodies;
  11. Attorney general
    appoint and dismiss the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairperson of the Accounts Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan after their approval by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  12. appoint and dismiss the Chairperson of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan after consultations with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  13. Constitutional court selection, Supreme court selection, Establishment of judicial council, Central bank, Counter corruption commission
    submit to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan candidates for membership of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Supreme Judicial Council, as well as candidates for the offices of Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Head of the republican body for combating corruption, and Head of the republican antimonopoly body;
  14. Establishment of judicial council, Structure of the courts, Establishment of military courts, Municipal government, Subsidiary unit government, Supreme/ordinary court judge removal
    appoint and dismiss, upon submission by the Supreme Judicial Council, the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the courts of regions and the city of Tashkent, as well as the Chairperson of the Military Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  15. Subsidiary unit government, Municipal government
    appoint and dismiss khokims of regions and the khokim of the city of Tashkent. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right, by their decision, to dismiss district and city khokims who violate the Constitution or laws or commit acts discrediting the honor and dignity of the office of khokim;
  16. Federal review of subnational legislation
    suspend and annul acts of republican executive authorities and khokims; and shall have the right to preside over meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  17. Approval or veto of general legislation
    sign and promulgate laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and have the right to return a law to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for repeated consideration and voting with their objections;
  18. Power to declare/approve war, International law
    in the event of an attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or the necessity to fulfill obligations under treaties on mutual defense against aggression, declare a state of war and general or partial mobilization and submit the act adopted for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan within three days;
  19. Emergency provisions
    in exceptional cases (real external threat, mass disturbances, major disasters, natural calamities, epidemics), for the purpose of ensuring the safety of citizens, introduce a state of emergency throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan or in individual areas thereof and submit the act adopted for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan within three days. The conditions and procedure for introducing a state of emergency shall be determined by law;
  20. Designation of commander in chief, Selection of active-duty commanders
    serve as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, appoint and dismiss the senior commanders of the Armed Forces, and confer senior military ranks;
  21. award orders, medals, and certificates of honor of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and confer qualification and honorary titles of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  22. Protection of stateless persons
    resolve matters of citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the granting of political asylum;
  23. Power to pardon
    submit to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan proposals on adopting acts of amnesty and grant pardons to persons convicted by the courts of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  24. Advisory bodies to the head of state
    establish and head the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and, for the purpose of ensuring the exercise of their powers, form the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as advisory and consultative bodies and other bodies under the President;
  25. exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall not have the right to delegate the exercise of their powers to state bodies or officials.
Head of state decree power

Article 110.

On the basis of and in execution of the Constitution and laws, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue decrees, resolutions, and directives that shall be binding throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Dismissal of the legislature

Article 111.

Where deadlock arises within the Legislative Chamber or the Senate that threaten their normal functioning, or where they repeatedly adopt resolutions contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as where irresolvable conflicts arise between the Legislative Chamber and the Senate that threaten the normal functioning of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be dissolved by decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan taken in consultation with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

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

Emergency provisions

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

Head of state replacement

Article 112.

Where the incumbent President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is unable to perform their duties, the duties and powers of the President shall be temporarily vested in the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in which case elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be held within three months in full compliance with the law.

Article 113.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan who has resigned upon the expiration of their term of office shall hold the office of a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for life.

Chapter XX. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Establishment of cabinet/ministers

Article 114.

Name/structure of executive(s)

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall exercise executive power. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, their Deputies, and ministers. The Head of the Government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a member of the Cabinet of Ministers by virtue of office.

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

Article 115.

Powers of cabinet

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

  1. Reference to science
    be responsible for the implementation of effective economic, social, tax, and budgetary policies, and for the development and implementation of programs in the fields of science, culture, education, healthcare, and other branches of the economy and the social sphere;
  2. take measures to ensure sustainable economic growth and macroeconomic stability, reduce poverty, create decent living conditions for the population, ensure food security, create a favorable investment climate, and ensure comprehensive and sustainable development of territories;
  3. State support for the disabled
    ensure the effective functioning of the system of social protection of the population, including persons with disabilities;
  4. Protection of environment
    ensure the implementation of a unified state policy in the fields of environmental protection, conservation of natural resources and biological diversity, combating climate change, epidemics and pandemics, and mitigating their consequences;
  5. ensure the implementation of state youth policy, take measures to support, strengthen, and protect the family, and preserve traditional family values;
  6. implement measures to support civil society institutions and ensure their participation in the development and implementation of socio-economic development and social partnership programs;
  7. take measures to protect the economic, social, and other rights and lawful interests of citizens;
  8. ensure the implementation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, and the decrees, resolutions, and directives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  9. coordinate and direct the work of executive authorities and exercise oversight over their activities in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law;
  10. take measures to ensure openness and transparency, legality and effectiveness in the work of executive authorities, combat corruption in their activities, improve the quality of public services, and expand access thereto;
  11. Legislative oversight of the executive
    submit annual reports to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan 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.

Within the framework of constitutional norms and in accordance with legislation, the Cabinet of Ministers shall issue resolutions and directives that shall be binding throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan for all bodies, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials, and citizens.

Legislative oversight of the executive

In its activities, the Cabinet of Ministers shall be accountable to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The incumbent Cabinet of Ministers shall resign its powers before the newly elected Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan; however, until a new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers is formed, it shall continue to perform its functions in accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 117.

Head of government powers

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

  1. organize and lead the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers and bear personal responsibility for its effective functioning;
  2. preside over meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers and sign its resolutions;
  3. act on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in international relations;
  4. perform other duties provided for by the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Head of government selection

Article 118.

The candidate for the office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, after consultations with all political party factions, for consideration and approval by the Legislative Chamber within one month after the election of the officials of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the formation of their bodies, or within one month after the Prime Minister has been dismissed from office or after the Prime Minister and the incumbent composition of the Cabinet of Ministers have resigned.

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

When the candidate for Prime Minister is being considered by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the candidate shall present the Cabinet of Ministers’ program of action for the short-term and long-term periods.

The candidate for Prime Minister shall be deemed approved if more than half of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan vote in favor.

Dismissal of the legislature

If the candidate submitted for the office of Prime Minister is rejected three times, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall appoint the Prime Minister and shall have the right to dissolve the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Cabinet selection

Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan after their candidacies have been approved 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 accept the resignation of the Prime Minister, the incumbent composition of the Cabinet of Ministers, or an individual member thereof.

Legislative oversight of the executive, Cabinet removal

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to hear reports of a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on matters relating to their activities. Based on the results of hearing such a report, the Legislative Chamber shall have the right to submit to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan a proposal to consider the resignation of that member.

Legislative oversight of the executive

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

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

Head of government removal, Cabinet removal

Article 119.

Where conflicts between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan become persistent, the issue of expressing a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister shall be placed on the agenda of the Legislative Chamber upon a formal proposal submitted to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan by at least one-third of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber.

A vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister shall be deemed adopted if at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan vote in favor. In such a case, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall decide to dismiss the Prime Minister. In this event, the entire composition of the Cabinet of Ministers shall resign together with the Prime Minister.

Municipal government, Subsidiary unit government

Chapter XXI. Foundations of Local State Authority. Bodies of Citizens’ Self-GOVERNMENT

Article 120.

In regions, districts, and cities (with the exception of cities subordinate to districts), the Councils of People’s Deputies shall be representative bodies of state power.

The Council of People’s Deputies shall be headed by a Chairperson elected from among its deputies in accordance with the law.

A person holding the office of khokim of a region, district, or city may not simultaneously hold the office of Chairperson of the Council of People’s Deputies.

The term of office of the Councils of People’s Deputies shall be five years. The same person may not be elected Chairperson of the Council of People’s Deputies of the same region, district, or city for more than two consecutive terms.

The procedure for the election of deputies to the Councils of People’s Deputies and the organization of the activities of the Councils of People’s Deputies shall be determined by law.

In newly established administrative-territorial units, elections to the Councils of People’s Deputies shall be held for a term not exceeding the period remaining until the next regular general elections to the Councils of People’s Deputies.

Article 121.

Executive power in the relevant territory shall be headed by the khokim of the region, district, or city.

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

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

Article 122.

The powers of the Councils of People’s Deputies shall include:

  1. considering and adopting the relevant local budgets and exercising oversight over their execution;
  2. approving programs for the socio-economic development of territories and the social protection of the population;
  3. approving the appointment of the khokim and hearing reports on their activities;
  4. exercising other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.

Article 123.

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

  1. ensuring the implementation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, the decrees, resolutions, and directives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers, higher-level khokims, and the relevant Councils of People’s Deputies;
  2. taking measures aimed at ensuring the economic, social, cultural, and environmental development of territories;
  3. forming and executing the local budget;
  4. exercising other powers provided for by this Constitution and laws.

Article 124.

Head of state powers

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

Khokims of districts and cities shall be appointed and dismissed by the khokim of the region or the khokim of the city of Tashkent and shall be approved by the relevant Council of People’s Deputies.

Khokims of cities subordinate to districts shall be appointed and dismissed by the district khokim and shall be approved by the district Council of People’s Deputies.

Article 125.

The khokim of a region, district, or city shall exercise their powers on the basis of sole authority and shall bear personal responsibility for the decisions and actions of the bodies he or she heads.

The khokim of a region, district, or city shall submit reports to the relevant Council of People’s Deputies on the most important and pressing issues of the socioeconomic development of the region, district, or city, and the Council of People’s Deputies shall adopt appropriate decisions based on such reports.

Article 126.

Within the scope of their powers, the Council of People’s Deputies and the khokim shall adopt resolutions that shall be binding on all organizations, officials, and citizens in the relevant territory.

Article 127.

In towns, villages, and rural settlements, as well as in mahallas of cities, towns, villages, and rural settlements, citizens’ assemblies shall be bodies of self-government and shall elect a chairperson.

Bodies of citizens’ self-government shall not form part of the system of state power bodies and shall have the right to independently resolve matters of local significance in accordance with the law, proceeding from the interests of citizens, the historical characteristics of development, as well as national values, local customs, and traditions.

The State shall create the necessary conditions for the activities of bodies of citizens’ self-government and shall assist them in exercising the powers vested in them by law.

The procedure for elections to bodies of citizens’ self-government, the organization of their activities, and their powers shall be determined by law.

Chapter XXII. Electoral System

Article 128.

Claim of universal suffrage

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to elect and to be elected to representative bodies of state power. Each voter shall have one vote. The right to vote and the equality and freedom of expression of will shall be guaranteed by law.

Scheduling of elections, Claim of universal suffrage, Secret ballot, Restrictions on voting

Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and to the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, and cities shall be held, respectively, in the year in which their constitutional terms of office expire—on the first Sunday of the third tenday period of October—except in cases of early elections provided for by this Constitution. Elections shall be held on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who have attained the age of eighteen shall 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 from among the deputies at the relevant joint sittings of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, and cities, within one month after the election of such deputies.

Eligibility for first chamber, Eligibility for second chamber, Eligibility for head of state

Citizens recognized by a court as legally incapable, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty pursuant to a court sentence, may not be elected.

Eligibility for first chamber, Eligibility for second chamber, Eligibility for head of state

Citizens recognized by a court as legally incapable, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty pursuant to a court sentence for having 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 all other cases, any direct or indirect restriction of citizens’ electoral rights shall not be permitted.

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

The procedure for conducting elections shall be determined by law.

Electoral commission

Article 129.

To organize and conduct elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, and cities, as well as the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be established by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main principles of its activity shall be independence, legality, collegiality, openness, and fairness.

The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall head the system of election commissions, carry out its activities on a permanent basis, and, in its activities, shall be guided by 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 upon the recommendation of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Councils of People’s Deputies of regions and the city of Tashkent.

The Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected from among the members of the Commission at a meeting of the Commission for a five-year term upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The same person may not be elected Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

Chapter XXIII. The Judicial Power

Judicial independence

Article 130.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, justice shall be administered exclusively by the courts.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the judicial power shall operate independently of the legislative and executive branches, political parties, and other institutions of civil society.

Structure of the courts

Article 131.

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

The establishment of extraordinary courts shall not be permitted.

Establishment of constitutional court

Article 132.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consider cases concerning the conformity of acts of the legislative and executive branches with the Constitution.

Constitutional court selection, Eligibility for const court judges

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

Constitutional court term length, Constitutional court term limits

Judges of the Constitutional Court shall be elected for a term of ten years without the right of re-election.

Constitutional court selection

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect, from among its members, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Constitutional Court for a term of five years.

Article 133.

Constitutional court powers

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

  1. Constitutionality of legislation, Legal status of treaties, Federal review of subnational legislation, International law
    determine the conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the decrees, resolutions, and directives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; the resolutions of the Government and local bodies of state authority; and the international treaty obligations and other international commitments of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  2. Constitutionality of legislation, International law, Legal status of treaties
    prior to their signing by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, determine the conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan of constitutional laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and prior to their ratification and signing by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  3. Referenda
    issue opinions on the conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan of matters submitted to a referendum;
  4. Federal review of subnational legislation
    issue opinions on the conformity of the Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and of the laws of the Republic of Karakalpakstan with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  5. Constitutional interpretation
    provide official interpretation of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
  6. Constitutionality of legislation
    consider applications submitted by courts, at the initiative of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, concerning the conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan of normative legal acts to be applied in a specific case;
  7. annually submit information to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the state of constitutional legality in the country, based on the results of summarizing the practice of constitutional adjudication;
  8. consider other matters within the powers conferred upon it by the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Citizens and legal entities, after having exhausted all other judicial remedies, shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a complaint concerning the constitutionality of a law applied to them by a court in a specific case in which judicial proceedings have been completed.

Decisions of the Constitutional Court shall enter into force on the date of their official publication.

Decisions of the Constitutional Court shall be final and not subject to appeal.

The procedure for the establishment and functioning of the Constitutional Court shall be determined by law.

Structure of the courts

Article 134.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the highest judicial body in the fields of civil, criminal, economic, and administrative proceedings.

Judicial precedence

Acts adopted by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be final and binding throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Supreme court powers

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to exercise supervision over the judicial activity of lower courts.

The Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their deputies shall be elected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for a term of five years. The same person may not be elected Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

Establishment of judicial council

Article 135.

Judicial independence

The Supreme Council of Judges of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be an independent body of the judicial community, ensuring the formation of the corps of judges and compliance with the constitutional principle of the independence of the judiciary.

The Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Judges of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Deputy Chairperson shall be elected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, upon submission by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for a term of five years. The same person may not be elected Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Judges of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

The procedure for the establishment and functioning of the Supreme Council of Judges of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be determined by law.

Article 136.

Judicial independence

Judges shall be independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law. Any interference in the administration of justice by judges shall be prohibited and shall entail liability in accordance with the law. Judges shall not be accountable for specific cases.

Judicial independence

Judges shall enjoy immunity.

Judicial independence

The State shall ensure the security of judges and members of their families.

Supreme/ordinary court judge removal

A judge may be removed from the consideration of a specific case, their powers may be terminated or suspended, or he or she may be transferred to another position only on the grounds and in the manner prescribed by law.

The reorganization or abolition of a court shall not serve as grounds for the dismissal of a judge.

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

Reference to science

Judges may not be members of political parties, participate in political movements, or engage in any paid activity other than scientific, creative, or pedagogical activities.

Right to public trial

Article 137.

Proceedings in all courts shall be open. Hearings may be held in closed session only in cases provided for by law.

Article 138.

Acts of the judicial power shall be binding on all state bodies and other organizations, officials, and citizens.

Trial in native language of accused

Article 139.

Judicial proceedings in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be conducted in the Uzbek language, the Karakalpak language, or the language spoken by the majority of the population in the given locality, or in another language in accordance with the law. Persons participating in proceedings who do not know the language of the proceedings shall be ensured the right to familiarize themselves fully with the case materials through an interpreter and to participate in proceedings, as well as the right to address the court in their native language.

Protection of judges' salaries

Article 140.

The financing of the activities of courts shall be carried out exclusively from the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan and shall ensure the full and independent administration of justice.

Chapter XXIV. The Bar

Right to counsel

Article 141.

For the purpose of providing qualified legal assistance to individuals and legal entities, the Bar shall operate.

The activities of the Bar shall be based on the principles of legality, independence, and self-governance.

The procedure for the organization of the Bar and for its functioning shall be determined by law.

Right to counsel

Article 142.

Interference in the professional activities of a lawyer in the performance of their professional duties shall not be permitted.

A lawyer shall be provided with conditions for unhindered and confidential meetings with the person under their defense and for providing legal advice.

A lawyer, their honor and dignity, and professional activity shall be under the protection of the State and safeguarded by law.

Attorney general

Chapter XXV. The Prosecutor’s Office

Article 143.

Supervision over the precise and uniform execution of laws within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be exercised by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and prosecutors subordinate to him or her.

Article 144.

The unified centralized system of the Prosecutor’s Office shall be headed by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

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

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

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

The same person may not hold the office of Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

Article 145.

The bodies of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall exercise their powers independently of other state bodies, organizations, and officials, and shall be subject only to the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During their term of office, prosecutors shall suspend their membership in political parties and other public associations pursuing political objectives.

The organization of the Prosecutor’s Office, its powers, and the procedure for its functioning shall be determined by law.

Article 146.

The establishment and operation within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan of private organizations, public associations, and their subdivisions independently performing operational-search activities, investigation, and other special functions aimed at combating crime shall be prohibited.

Public organizations and citizens may assist law enforcement bodies in protecting legality and public order and in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of citizens.

Chapter XXVI. Finance, Monetary and Banking System

Article 147.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have a single, unified system of finance, currency, and banking.

Article 148.

The State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of the republican 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 shall exercise public oversight 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 determined by law.

Article 149.

A unified tax system shall operate within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Tax bills

The authority to introduce taxes shall belong to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 150.

The monetary unit of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the soʻm. The soʻm shall be the sole unrestricted legal tender throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Central bank

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the exclusive right to issue currency into circulation and to withdraw it from circulation as legal tender within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Central bank

Article 151.

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

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall formulate and implement monetary and foreign exchange policy.

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

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

The procedure for the organization and functioning of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be determined by law.

Chapter XXVII. Defense and Security

Article 152.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be established to protect the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the peaceful life and security of the population.

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

Article 153.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall maintain Armed Forces sufficient to ensure its security.

Constitution amendment procedure

SECTION SIX. PROCEDURE FOR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

Article 154.

Amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be introduced by a constitutional law adopted by a majority of at least two thirds of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, or by a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Unamendable provisions

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

A constitutional law on introducing amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan may provide for specific features of the application of its provisions, as well as of the provisions of the Constitution.

Article 155.

After the submission of the relevant proposal, the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may, within six months, adopt a constitutional law on introducing amendments and additions to the Constitution, taking into account broad and comprehensive public discussion. If the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan rejects the proposal to amend the Constitution, the proposal may be resubmitted only after one year.