UzLiDeP hold seminar to study legislative initiative of President

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Executive Committee of Political Council of Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDeP), faction of the party in Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis and Academy of Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan organized a seminar dedicated to studying important legislative initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on further political and constitutional development of Uzbekistan on 20 March 2014.

Recently, the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan passed a draft law “On introduction of changes and amendments to some articles of the Constitution of Uzbekistan (articles 32, 78, 93, 98, 103 and 117)” in the first reading. The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov submitted the document to consideration of the parliament. The draft law was developed to implement proposals of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov at the solemn ceremony of celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Constitution.

The document is directed at further deepening constitutional reforms, further expanding rights and authorities of the parliament, strengthening responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers, executive power as a whole, public and parliament control.

At the event, it was underlined that this initiative is considered as breaking move in further strengthening role of legislative chamber in the system of the state and political systems, raising role and important of MPs bodies, strengthening their opportunities and forming civil society by UzLiDeP and its voters. It became natural and logical continuation of democratic reforms in Uzbekistan.

It was stated that the initiative was based on goal to enter to number of developed democratic countries in the world in the future and reached achievement of state and public construction based on Uzbek model of reforms, as well as changes in life of the public.

Initiatives of the President lifts wide-scale work on democratic update and modernization of the country, as well as formation of strong civil society.

MP Abduqodir Tashkulov from UzLiDeP said that introduction of changes and amendments to Constitution is connected with dynamic process of wide-scale democratic update and liberalization of the country, as well as further implementation of main principle of development of Uzbekistan – from strong state to strong civil society.

At the meeting it was recalled statement of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov in 1995, when he noted that Uzbekistan can achieve real prosperity in conditions of civil society, where interests, rights and freedoms of people are main values.

It was noted that institute of public control is included to the Constitution, which will ensure participation of citizens in public and state management, as well as strengthen civil institutes. This institute will also become important factor for ensuring sustainable stable development of economy and create favourable conditions to small and private enterprises, farms, protection of private property and rights of proprietors.

Another important novelty of the draft law is strengthening institute of parliamentary and MPs control, raising responsibility of the executive power to implement tasks on social-economic development of Uzbekistan.

In particular, the document envisages that candidate to the post of Prime Minister will present an action programme of the Cabinet of Ministers for near and long-term futures. The amendments envisage that the governors of regions, districts and cities will submit reports on social-economic development to Councils of People’s Deputies, which will adopt corresponding decisions. This will strengthen parliamentary and MPs control, role of political parties in determining priorities of public-political and economic development, reforming and modernizing the country.

Alisher Mahmudov, student of Academy of Public Administration, said that the draft law includes important norms, directed at further implementation of the Concept of the resident, ensure balanced distribution of authorities between President, legislative and executive chambers. It will increase responsibility of the government for implementation of social-economic policy, measures on protection of economic, social and other rights and interests of the citizens, coordinate work of state and economic bodies, he added.

It is worth to mention that in line with the legislation political party, which won most seats in parliament, or coalition of parties will propose candidate of Prime Minister. This will improve role of parties for development and implementation of various programmes and projects in political, economic, social and humanitarian spheres.

MP Maruf Usmanov from UzLiDeP said that the amendments introduces independent system of democratic formation of the Central Election Commission and main principles of its activities – independence, legality, collegiality, openness and fairness. It is worth to mention that Central Election Commission becomes constitutional body.

The elections will be organized by independent body, formed by Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. The members of the election commission are elected by parliament on recommendation of Jokary Kenes of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city Councils of People’s Deputies.

This practice is more democratic compared to some developed democratic countries like UK, Germany and others, where members of election commission are elected by executive power.

It was noted that it is impossible to form strong civil society without firm protection of political rights of citizens in administration of public and state affairs, their right to elect and to be elected to representative bodies.