Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 June 2022, a regular plenary session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was held. In it, the deputies adopted in the first reading the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

First, the meeting heard information from the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the Constitutional Commission Akmal Saidov on the work done by the Constitutional Commission over the past period.

It was noted that the Constitutional Commission did a lot of work to improve the Constitution, effectively organized its activities, for this, specialists from research institutes, relevant ministries and departments, experts in the field were involved, the constitutional experience of developed countries was deeply and comprehensively studied.

Clear mechanisms have been introduced for the continuous, timely adoption and generalization of the opinions and proposals of the population. A system has been set up to receive them via the electronic platform www.meningkonstitutsiyam.uz or the short number of the Call Center 1341, as well as e-mail, through mahallas and local councils of people’s deputies, a special bot in the Telegram messenger. 

The meeting of the President of our country with the members of the Commission, which took place on June 20 this year, gave a new meaning to the work of the Commission. The proposals of our citizens, as well as the proposals and ideas put forward by the head of state at this meeting, were reflected in the draft Constitutional Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

The deputies noted that in the new period of the country’s development, our people are not indifferent to the ongoing transformations, they themselves strive to become the initiator and active participant in large-scale reforms, and also unanimously support constitutional reforms. The information of the Chairman of the Constitutional Commission was taken into account.

Further, the deputies considered the second issue on the agenda - the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. Chairman of the Committee of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on combating corruption and judicial and legal issues J. Shirinov spoke on this issue.

At the meeting, it was noted that the proposed changes and additions cover more than sixty articles of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It defines such norms as exalting the honor and dignity of a person, ensuring the welfare of the population, sustainable development of the economy, and many others. In particular, the draft law defines a favorable business and investment climate in the state, protection of fair competition, provision of conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, prevention of monopolization of economic activity, the right of entrepreneurs to carry out any activity not prohibited by law, to receive an unlimited amount of income.

It also reflects the norms for further improvement of the foundations of state power, strengthening the powers of parliament, ensuring the active participation of citizens in the legislative process. In particular, the draft cancels the rule that khokims simultaneously head the Kengash of people’s deputies, and separately strengthens the powers of the Kengash of people’s deputies and khokims. In addition, the parliament is given the authority to discuss the annual national report on combating corruption. 

The draft Constitutional Law was adopted in the first reading.

After that, the deputies considered the third issue on the agenda - the draft Constitutional Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan", introduced by Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan on the basis of the right of legislative initiative. Z. Reimova delivered a report on this draft law.

As the deputies noted, this bill envisages the introduction of norms into the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at further improving the legal framework for the socio-economic development of the region

This draft law was adopted by the Legislative Chamber in the first reading.

After that, the considered draft law was merged into a single draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, since it contains issues provided for by the draft Constitutional Law submitted by the deputies of the Legislative Chamber.

The deputies adopted a resolution to submit the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan” for public discussion.

It determined to publish the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan” for public discussion in the newspapers Khalq suzi and Narodnoye Slovo and on the website www.meningkonstitutsiyam.uz.

Also accepted for information is the issue of submitting to the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, prepared based on the results of public hearings. 

At this plenary session completed its work.