Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 8 May, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, political parties, judicial and executive authorities, and members of the public. It considered the results of the referendum held on 30 April 2023 on the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a new edition.

In his speech, the head of state noted that the interests of all segments of the population are taken into account in the updated Constitution of the country, the active participation of citizens in its development, as well as its adoption by referendum, indicate that our people are the real author of the updated Constitution.

- Millions of our citizens actively participated in the nationwide discussion of the draft Constitution, which was held for the entire period before its adoption. Therefore, we have every reason to assert that our people are the real author of the updated Constitution. Most importantly, now we will never deviate from the path of reforms, we will move forward and only forward on the basis of the new system “man - society - state,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In conditions when the world every day faces new trials, threats and challenges, Uzbekistan firmly enshrined its status as a sovereign state in the Constitution.

“In such difficult conditions, in every area of work, in all the laws and decisions we adopt, the most important priority for us should be only the interests of our people, our Motherland,” the head of state said.

In the updated Constitution, Uzbekistan proclaimed itself a social state. The social obligations of the state are increased by 3 times.

“It’s easy to say, but to put it into practice, we have to work hard. For these purposes, it is necessary to allocate an additional 30-40 trillion soums from the State budget annually. Due to this, every year we will have to build hundreds of new kindergartens, schools and hospitals.

As a priority task, we will also use new opportunities to raise youth policy, development of education and upbringing, science, culture and sports to a new level.

We will regularly increase wages, pensions, allowances and stipends. We will further expand the range of social services for our veterans, lonely elderly people, people with disabilities, citizens in need of special attention and care,” the President said.

In the updated Constitution, Uzbekistan is defined as a state of law, the number of norms on guarantees of human rights has also been increased by 3 times.

It was determined that without a court decision a person cannot be detained for a period of more than 48 hours, a provision was fixed that restriction of freedom is possible only on the basis of a court decision. For the first time, it was separately established that the accused has the right not to testify against himself, that is, he has the right to remain silent.

The principle “In the name of the honor and dignity of a person” has become the main criterion in the Constitution, laws, and the activities of government departments; it has been established that the honor and dignity of a person are inviolable, and nothing can be the basis for their humiliation.

- This means that, first of all, the rule of law in all spheres will be ensured. From now on, all ambiguities in the laws will be interpreted in favor of the person. Most importantly, the criterion for the activity of each member of society, especially officials, should be the approach: “The law is sacred, under any circumstances justice must prevail!”, the head of state said.

The new version of the Constitution also consolidated the status of Uzbekistan as a democratic state that cares about the people and is firmly advancing along the path of democratic development.

In order to introduce a compact and efficient management system that eases the burden of people and businesses, a large-scale administrative reform has been launched, the activities of the government and ministries have been optimized, and their methods of work have been changed.

- My biggest dream is to create a people’s system in which the mahalla independently solves the problems that concern people. In this regard, it is planned to transfer to the makhalla at least 30 percent of the powers of the bodies in the areas of finance, taxes and employment, the President said.

The updated Constitution also envisages a number of important changes in the activities of the Parliament. In order to ensure the effective operation of the system of checks and balances in the system of state power, the powers of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis have been revised, the number of exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber has been increased from the current 5 to 12, and the Senate - from 14 to 18.

“At the same time, the time has come for our deputies to focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of laws, to work closely together with the government to effectively organize their implementation. It is advisable to direct the activities of the Senate to resolving issues related to the regions, providing comprehensive assistance to local Kengashes in connection with their reform, holding field sessions in industries and regions, ensuring the implementation of laws on the ground, especially in mahallas, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The new version of the Constitution also secured the status of Uzbekistan as a secular state to ensure interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony.

Our people decided in a referendum that Uzbekistan is a secular state and will remain so in the future. It was noted that in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution in the new edition, the policy of ensuring harmony and respect between representatives of different nations and confessions in the country will continue, no manifestations of radicalism in society will ever be allowed.

During the meeting, tasks were defined to implement the updated Constitution in life, to ensure its implementation. It was noted that a corresponding decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed.

- In order to turn every provision, every article of the Basic Law into the norm of life in our society, especially the younger generation, it is necessary to create curricula, textbooks and manuals, and train young people on the basis of an effective system. It is necessary to organize work aimed at a deep study of the Constitution in every educational institution, organization and department, enterprise and mahalla,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The head of state announced early presidential elections in accordance with Article 128 of the updated Constitution.

The President explained the need for this decision and the reason for the refusal on his own initiative from the remaining three and a half years of the presidential term:

firstly, all links of power are being reformed, relations and the balance between them are seriously changing;

secondly, the updated Constitution puts before the President, parliament, government, ministers, khokims urgent, new political and socio-economic tasks;

thirdly, the people are waiting for extremely important and urgent transformations and reforms in all areas;

fourthly, at present, when complex processes are taking place in the world and in our region, tension is growing, the search for and implementation of the correct and effective development path is becoming the most acute and urgent issue.

For the successful implementation of such large-scale tasks, it is advisable that in the renewed system of state power, our people give a mandate to a leader they trust.

The meeting participants noted that this initiative is the embodiment of the deep respect and devotion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Uzbek people and democratic principles.

At the same time, during the meeting, it was emphasized that the holding of early presidential elections will serve to ensure the functioning of state power in accordance with the requirements of the updated Constitution, the full implementation of the principle of democracy.

The leaders of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, political parties and the Constitutional Court also spoke at the meeting, they supported the proposals and initiatives put forward by the President.

At the end of the meeting, it was noted that no matter how high and difficult the planned milestones are, there is every opportunity to achieve them, the legacy of great ancestors, creative power, intellectual and spiritual potential, entrepreneurial spirit and diligence of our people.