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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN - Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Republic of France

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
 
PREAMBLE
We, united people of Uzbekistan:
solemnly declaring our adherence to human rights and freedoms, national and universal values, principles of state sovereignty,
affirming our commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and equality, social justice and solidarity,
aware of our ultimate responsibility to the present and the future generations for building a humane democratic state, an open and just society in which the person, human life, freedom, honor and dignity are the highest value,
relying on more than three millennia-long historical experience in the development of our statehood, as well as the scientific, cultural and spiritual heritage of the great ancestors who made an invaluable contribution to world civilization,
being determined to multiply and protect for present and future generations the invaluable natural wealth of the country and to preserve a healthy environment,
based on the generally accepted norms of the international law,
striving to strengthen and develop friendly relations of Uzbekistan with the world community, primarily, with neighboring states on the basis of cooperation, mutual support, peace and harmony,
aiming to ensure a decent life for citizens, interethnic and interfaith harmony, well-being and prosperity of the multinational native Uzbekistan,
hereby adopt and proclaim the present Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
PART ONE. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Chapter I. State Sovereignty
Article 1.
Uzbekistan is a sovereign democratic, legal, social and secular state with a republican form of government.
Both names of the state — the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan — shall be equivalent.
Article 2.
The state shall express the will of the people and serve their interests. State bodies and officials shall be accountable to the society and the citizens.
Article 3.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall determine its national-state and administrative-territorial structure, its structure of state authority and administration, and shall pursue independent home and foreign policies.
The state boundary and the territory of Uzbekistan shall be inviolable and indivisible.
Article 4.
The state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be Uzbek.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall ensure a respectful attitude toward the languages, customs and traditions of all nationalities and ethnic groups living on its territory, and create the conditions necessary for their development.
Article 5.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have its state symbols — the flag, the emblem, and the anthem-approved by the law.
State symbols shall be under the protection of the State.
Article 6.
The capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the city of Tashkent.
Chapter II. Democracy
Article 7.
The people are the sole source of state power.
State power in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be exercised in the interests of the people and solely by the bodies empowered by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the laws passed on its basis.
Any seizure of powers belonging to state authority, suspension or termination of activity of the bodies of state authority contrary to the procedure prescribed by the Constitution, as well as the formation of any new or parallel bodies of state authority shall be regarded as unconstitutional and punishable by law.
Article 8.
All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their nationality, constitute the people of Uzbekistan.
Article 9.
Major matters of public and state life shall be submitted for public discussion and put to a nationwide vote — a referendum.
The procedure for holding referendums in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be specified by the law.
Article 10.
The Oliy Majlis (the Parliament of the Republic) and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elected by the people, shall have the exclusive right to act on behalf of the people.
No part of society, political party, public association, movement, or individual shall have the right to act on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan.
Article 11.
The principle of the separation of power into the legislative, executive and judicial authorities shall underlie the system of state authority in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 12.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, public life shall develop on the basis of a diversity of political institutions, ideologies and opinions.
No ideology shall be established as the state ideology.
Article 13.
Democracy in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall rest on the principles common to all mankind, according to which the ultimate value is the human being, their life, freedom, honor, dignity and other inalienable rights.
Democratic rights and freedoms shall be protected by the Constitution and the laws.
Article 14.
The state shall carry out its activity based on the principles of legality, social justice and solidarity, to ensure human well-being and sustainable development of society.
Chapter III. Supremacy of the Constitution and the Law
Article 15.
The Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have absolute supremacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the supreme legal force and direct effect, and constitute the basis of the single legal space on the entire territory of the country.
International treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with the generally recognized principles and norms of international law, shall be an integral part of the legal system of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
If an international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes other rules than those stipulated by the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the rules of the international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall apply.
The state, its bodies, other organizations, officials, public associations, and citizens shall act in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.
Article 16.
None of the provisions of the present Constitution may be interpreted in a way detrimental to the rights and interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the basic principles and norms stipulated in section one of this Constitution.
Laws and other normative legal acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be adopted on the basis of and in fulfillment of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. None of the laws or other normative legal acts shall run counter to the norms and principles of the Constitution.
Chapter IV. Foreign Policy
Article 17.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall be a full-fledged subject of international relations.
The foreign policy of Uzbekistan shall be based on the principles of sovereign equality of the states, non-use of force or threat to use force, inviolability of frontiers, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and other generally recognized principles and norms of international law.
Article 18.
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.
The Republic of Uzbekistan may enter into alliances, join commonwealths and other inter-governmental institutions, as well as withdraw from them, on the basis of the supreme interests of the state, the people, its welfare and security.
PART TWO. BASIC HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND DUTIES
Chapter V. General Provisions
Article 19.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall recognize and guarantee human rights and freedoms in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international law and in accordance with this Constitution. Everyone shall enjoy human rights and freedoms from birth.
All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have same rights and freedoms, and shall be equal before the law, without discrimination by sex, race, ethnicity, language, religion, convictions, social origin, and social status.
Any privileges shall be granted solely by the law and must 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 duties.
The human rights and freedoms, established by the Constitution and the laws, shall be inalienable, and no one shall have the right to deprive or limit them without a court decision.
The human rights and freedoms shall be directly applicable. The human rights and freedoms shall determine the essence and content of laws, the activities of state and self-government bodies and their officials.
The measures of legal influence on the individual applied by state bodies must be based on the principle of proportionality and be sufficient to achieve the goals provided by laws.
All contradictions and ambiguities in the legislation, which arise in the relationship between a person and state bodies, shall be interpreted in favor of the person.
Article 21.
Every person has the right to the free development of his or her personality. No one shall be subjected to an obligation not established by law without his or her consent.
The exercise of rights and freedoms by a person must not encroach on the lawful interests, rights and freedoms of other persons, the state or society.
The human rights and freedoms may be limited only in accordance with the law, and only to the extent necessary to protect the constitutional order, public health, public morality, the rights and freedoms of other persons, to ensure public safety and public order.
Chapter VI. Citizenship
Article 22.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, a single citizenship shall be established on the entire territory of the Republic.
Citizenship in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be equal for all regardless of the grounds of its acquisition.
A citizen of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The grounds and procedure for acquiring and forfeiting citizenship shall be defined by law.
Article 23.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall guarantee defense and protection to all its citizens both on its territory and abroad.
A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not be expelled from Uzbekistan or turned over to another State.
The State, in accordance with the norms of international law, shall take care of the maintaining and developing ties with compatriots residing abroad.
Article 24.
Foreign citizens and stateless persons, during their stay on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be guaranteed the rights and freedoms in accordance with the norms of the international law. They shall perform the duties established by the Constitution, laws and international agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Chapter VII. Personal Rights and Freedoms
Article 25.
The right to life is an inalienable right of every human being and shall be protected by law. Infringement against human life shall be regarded as the gravest crime.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the death penalty shall be prohibited.
Article 26.
Human honor and dignity are inviolable. Nothing may be the basis for their derogation.
No one shall be subjected to torture, violence, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Nobody shall be subjected to medical and scientific experiments without his or her consent.
Article 27.
Everyone shall have the right to freedom and inviolability of the person.
No one may be arrested, detained, imprisoned, taken into custody, or otherwise restricted in freedom except on lawful grounds.
Arrest, commitment, and confinement are allowed only by a court decision. Without a court decision, a person may not be detained for more than forty-eight hours.
During detention, the person must be informed about his or her rights and the reasons for detention in a language he or she understands.
Article 28.
Everyone, accused of committing a crime, shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a public trial in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law and established by a court verdict that has entered into legal force. The accused person shall be given every opportunity for his or her defense.
All doubts about guilt, if the possibilities of eliminating them are exhausted, shall be resolved in favor of the suspect, accused, defendant or convicted person.
A suspect, accused or convicted person shall not be obliged to prove his or her innocence and may exercise the right to remain silent at any time.
No one shall be obliged to testify against himself or herself or his or her close relatives.
A person may not be convicted or punished, if a confession of guilt is the only evidence against him or her.
The persons deprived of their liberty shall be entitled to humane treatment and respect for the honor and dignity inherent in the human person.
A person’s criminal record and the legal consequences arising therefrom cannot be grounds for restricting the rights of his or her relatives.
Article 29.
Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to receive qualified legal assistance. In cases stipulated by law, legal assistance shall be provided at the expense of the state.
Each person shall have the right to legal counsel of his or her choice at any stage of the criminal proceedings, and where the person concerned is detained, as soon as his or her right to freedom of movement is restricted.
The suspect, accused or defendant shall have the right to be informed about the essence and grounds of the accusation, to demand the interrogation of persons giving evidence against him/her or in his/her favor, to use the assistance of an interpreter.
No evidence obtained in violation of the law shall be admitted in the administration of justice.
A person convicted of a crime shall have the right to appeal the sentence to a higher court in accordance with the procedure established by law, as well as the right to request a pardon or a reduced sentence.
The rights of victims of offenses shall be protected by law. The State shall provide victims with legal defence and access to justice, create conditions for compensating the harm caused to them.
Article 30.
No one shall be convicted, punished, deprived of property, or any other right on the basis of a law that is not publicly promulgated.
No one shall be retried for the same offence.
Article 31.
Everyone shall have the right to inviolability of private life, personal and family secrets, protection of honor and dignity.
Everyone shall have the right to privacy of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, electronic and other communications. This right shall be restricted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.
Everyone shall have the right to the protection of his or her personal data, as well as to demand the correction of inaccurate data, the destruction of data collected about his or her illegally or no longer having legal grounds.
Everyone shall have the right to inviolability of the home.
No one shall have the right to enter into the dwelling against the will of the persons residing in it. Entry into the dwelling, as well as seizure and inspection therein, shall be permitted only in cases and in the manner prescribed by law. A search of the residence shall be permitted only in accordance with the law and on the basis of a court decision.
Article 32.
Everyone who is in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan on legal grounds shall have the right to freedom of movement within the country, choice of place of stay and residence, except for the restrictions established by law.
Everyone shall have the right to freely leave Uzbekistan, except for the restrictions established by law. A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to return to Uzbekistan without hindrance.
Article 33.
Everyone shall be guaranteed freedom of thought, speech, and convictions.
Everyone shall have the right to seek, obtain, and disseminate any information.
The State shall create conditions for the provision of access to the Internet.
Restrictions on the right to seek, obtain, and disseminate information shall be allowed only in accordance with the law and only to the extent necessary to protect the constitutional order, public health, public morality, the rights and freedoms of others, to ensure public safety, and public order, as well as preventing the disclosure of state secrets or other legally protected secrets.
Article 34.
The State bodies, organizations, citizens' self-governing bodies, and their officials shall have to allow everyone access to documents, resolutions, and other materials relating to their rights and legitimate interests.
Article 35.
Freedom of conscience shall be guaranteed to all. Everyone shall have the right to profess or not to profess any religion. Any compulsory imposition of religion shall be impermissible.
Chapter VIII. Political Rights
Article 36.
All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to participate in the management and administration of public and state affairs, both directly and through representation. They may exercise this right by way of self-government, referendums and democratic formation of state bodies, as well as public control over activities of state bodies.
The procedure of public control over activities of state bodies shall be defined by law.
Article 37.
Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the equal rights to access civil service.
Restrictions related to the civil service shall be established by law.
Article 38.
Citizens have the right to carry out their public activity in the form of rallies, meetings, and demonstrations in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authorities have the right to suspend or prohibit these events only for justified security reasons.
Article 39.
Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to form trade unions, political parties and any other public associations and to participate in mass movements.
No one may infringe on the rights, freedoms, and dignity of the individuals, constituting the minority opposition in political parties, public associations, and mass movements, as well as in representative bodies of authority.
Article 40.
Everyone shall have the right, both individually and collectively, to submit applications, proposals, and to lodge complaints with competent state bodies and organizations, citizens’ self-governing bodies, officials and public representatives.
Such applications, proposals and complaints shall be considered in accordance with the procedure and within the time-limit specified by law.
Chapter IX. Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights
Article 41.
Everyone shall have the right to own property.
The privacy of bank operations, deposits and accounts, as well as the right to inheritance shall be guaranteed by law.
Article 42.
Everyone shall have the right to decent work, to free choice of profession and occupation, favorable working conditions that meet the requirements of safety and hygiene, to fair remuneration for work without any discrimination and not below the established minimum wage, as well as the right to unemployment protection in the manner prescribed by law.
The minimum wage shall be determined taking into account the need to ensure a decent standard of living for a person.
It shall be prohibited to refuse to hire women, dismiss them from work and reduce their wages on the basis of pregnancy or having a child.
Article 43.
The State shall take measures to ensure employment of citizens, to protect against unemployment and to reduce poverty.
The State shall organize and promote vocational training and retraining of citizens.
Article 44.
Any forced labor shall be prohibited, except as punishment under the court decision, or in some other Instances specified by law.
Any form of child labor that poses a threat to the health, safety, morality, mental and physical development of the child, including those that prevent him or her from getting an education, shall be prohibited.
Article 45.
Everyone shall have the right to rest and leisure time.
Citizens working on hire shall have the right to rest and leisure time by establishing the length of working hours, days off and non-working holidays, paid annual leave.
Article 46.
Everyone shall have the right to social security in old age, in the event of disability, unemployment and loss of the bread-winner as well as in some other cases specified by law.
The amount of pensions, allowances and other types of social welfare established by law, may not be set lower than the officially fixed minimum consumer expenditure.
Article 47.
Everyone shall have the right to housing.
No one may be deprived of his or her home except by a court decision and in accordance with the law. In the cases and in the manner prescribed by law, the owner, deprived of his or her home, shall be provided with preliminary and equivalent compensation for the cost of housing and the losses incurred by him or her.
The State shall encourage the construction of housing and create conditions for the exercise of the right to housing.
The procedure for providing housing to socially vulnerable categories of the population shall be determined by law.
Article 48.
Everyone shall have the right to health and qualified medical care.
Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to receive a guaranteed, extensive medical assistance in the manner prescribed by law at the expense of the state.
The State shall take measures to develop the healthcare system, its state and non-state forms, various types of medical insurance, ensuring sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population.
The State shall create conditions for the development of physical culture and sports, the formation of a healthy lifestyle among the population.
Article 49.
Everyone shall have the right to a favorable environment, reliable information about its condition.
The State shall create conditions for the implementation of public control in the field of urban planning activities in order to ensure the environmental rights of citizens and prevention of harmful environmental impact.
Draft urban planning documents shall be subject to public discussion in the manner prescribed by law.
The State, under the principle of sustainable development, shall implement measures to improve, restore and protect the environment, maintain ecological balance.
The State shall take measures to protect and restore the ecological system, social and economic development of the Aral Sea 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, state and non-state educational organizations.
The State shall create conditions for the development of pre-school education and upbringing.
The State shall guarantee general secondary and basic vocational education free of charge. The general secondary education shall be compulsory.
Pre-school education and upbringing, general secondary education shall be under state supervision.
Inclusive education and upbringing shall be provided for children with special educational needs in educational institutions.
Article 51.
Citizens shall have the right to receive higher education in state educational organizations on a competitive basis at the expense of the state.
Higher educational institutions shall have the right to academic freedom, self-government, freedom of research and teaching in accordance with the law.
Article 52.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the work of a teacher shall be recognized as the basis for the development of society and the state, the formation and education of a healthy, harmoniously developed generation, the preservation and enhancement of the spiritual and cultural potential of the people.
The State shall ensure the protection the honour and dignity of teachers, their social and material well-being and professional development.
Article 53.
Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of scientific, technical and artistic creativity, the right to enjoy the achievements of culture. 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 is the highest goal of the state.
The state shall ensure the rights and freedoms of human and citizen, enshrined in the Constitution and laws.
Article 55.
Everyone shall have the right to defend his or her rights and freedoms by all means not prohibited by law.
Everyone shall be guaranteed judicial protection for his or her rights and freedoms and shall have the right to appeal to court any unlawful decisions, acts, or omissions of state bodies and other organizations, their officials.
Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to have his or her case examined by a competent, independent, and impartial court within the time limits established by law in order to have his or her rights and freedoms restored.
Everyone shall have the right, in accordance with the legislation and international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to apply to international bodies for the protection of human rights and freedoms if all available domestic remedies have been exhausted.
Everyone shall have the right to compensation by the State for damage caused by unlawful decisions, acts, or omissions of State bodies or their officials.
Article 56.
National human rights institutions shall supplement the existing forms and means of protecting human rights and freedoms, promote the development of civil society and enhance the culture of human rights.
The State shall create conditions for organising the activity of national institutions of human rights.
Article 57.
The rights of incapacitated and lonely elderly persons, persons with disabilities and other socially vulnerable categories of the population shall be protected by the state.
The State shall take the measures to improve the quality of life of vulnerable categories of the population and to enable them to fully participate in social and public life and to enhance their ability to provide for their basic necessities of life independently.
The State shall create the conditions for full access of persons with disabilities to objects and services of the social, economic and cultural spheres, and promote their employment and education, and shall ensure the opportunity to obtain the necessary information without hindrance.
Article 58.
Women and men shall have equal rights.
The State shall ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the administration of public and state affairs and in other spheres of social and state life.
Chapter XI. Duties of citizens
Article 59.
All citizens shall perform the duties established by the Constitution.
Article 60.
Citizens shall be obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, and to respect the rights, freedoms, honour and dignity of others.
Article 61.
It is the duty of citizens to protect the historical, spiritual and cultural scientific and natural heritage of the people of Uzbekistan.
The historical, spiritual, cultural, scientific and natural heritage shall be protected by the state.
Article 62.
Citizens shall be obliged to protect the environment.
Article 63.
Citizens shall be obliged to pay taxes and fees prescribed by law.
Taxes and fees must be fair and must not hinder citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
Article 64.
Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the duty of every citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Citizens shall be obliged to perform military or alternative service in the procedure prescribed by law.
PART THREE. SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL
Chapter XII. Economic foundation of the society
Article 65.
The basis of the economy of Uzbekistan, evolving to enhance the well-being of citizens, shall be a property in its various forms. The State shall create the conditions for the development of market relations and fair competition, and guarantee the freedom of economic activity, enterprise and labour, taking into account the priority of consumer rights.
Equality and legal protection of all forms of property shall be ensured in Uzbekistan.
Private property shall be inviolable. An owner may not be deprived of his or her property except in the cases and according to the procedure prescribed by law and on the basis of a court decision.
Article 66.
An owner, at his/her discretion, shall possess, use and dispose of his/her property. The use of any property must not be harmful to the environment or violate the rights and legitimate interests of other persons, society and the state.
Article 67.
The state shall ensure a favourable investment and business climate.
Entrepreneurs in accordance with the law shall have the right to conduct any activity and choose its direction independently.
Unity of the economic space and the free movement of goods, services, labour and funds shall be guaranteed on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Monopolistic activities shall be regulated and limited by law.
Article 68.
The land, its minerals, waters, flora and fauna, other natural resources shall constitute the national wealth and shall be rationally used and protected by the state.
Land may be privately owned on the terms and in the manner prescribed by law, which ensure its rational use and 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 self-government of citizens, and the mass media shall form the basis of civil society.
The activity of civil society institutions shall be conducted in accordance with the law.
Article 70.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, public associations are recognized as trade unions, political parties, scientific societies, women’s organizations, organizations of veterans, youth and persons with disabilities, creative unions, mass movements and other organizations of citizens.
The dissolution, prohibition or restriction of the activity of public associations shall take place only on the basis of a court decision.
Article 71.
The formation and functioning of political parties and other non-profit non-governmental organizations, aiming to do the following, shall be prohibited: changing the existing constitutional system by force, coming out against state sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Uzbekistan, advocating war and social, national, racial and religious hostility, or encroaching on the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, encroaching on the health and morality of the people, as well as armed associations and political parties based on the national and religious principles.
Secret societies and associations shall be banned.
Article 72.
The state shall safeguard the rights and lawful interests of non-governmental non-profit organizations, and provide them with equal legal possibilities for participating in public life.
Interference by state bodies and officials in the activity 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 be impermissible.
Article 73.
Trade unions express and protect the social and economic rights and interests of workers. Membership in trade unions is voluntary.
Article 74.
Political parties shall express the political will of various sections and groups of the population, and through their democratically elected representatives shall participate in the formation of state authority. Political parties, in accordance with the established procedure, shall submit to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan or to the body authorised by it, public reports on the sources of financing their activity.
Article 75.
Religious organizations and associations shall be separated from the state and equal before law. The state shall not interfere in the activity of religious organisations.
The State shall guarantee the freedom of activities of religious organizations functioning by the procedure prescribed by the law.
Chapter XIV. Family, children and youth
Article 76.
The family is the primary unit of the society and is under the protection of society and the state.
Marriage shall be based on the traditional family values of the people of Uzbekistan, the free consent and equality of those entering into marriage.
The State shall create the social, economic, legal and other conditions for the full development of the family.
Article 77.
Until the children are of age, parents and guardians shall be obliged to support them, take care of their upbringing, education and healthy, full and harmonious development.
The state and society shall ensure the maintenance, upbringing, education, and healthy, full and harmonious development of orphans and children deprived of the guardianship of their parents, and encourage charitable activities to this end.
Article 78.
Children are equal before the law regardless of their parents' origin and civil status.
The State shall take responsibility to ensure and protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the child and to create the best conditions for his or her full physical, mental and cultural development.
Motherhood, fatherhood and childhood shall be protected by the state.
The State and society shall attend to fostering in children and young people a commitment to national and universal human values, pride in the country and the rich cultural heritage of the nation, a sense of patriotism and love of the Motherland.
Article 79.
The State shall ensure the protection of personal, political, economic, social, cultural and ecological rights of young people, and encourage their active participation in the life of society and the State.
The State shall create conditions for intellectual, creative, physical and moral formation and development of young people, the exercise of their rights to education, health care, housing, recruitment, employment and recreation.
Article 80.
Able-bodied children, who are of age, shall be obliged to care for their parents.
Chapter XV. Mass media
Article 81.
The mass media shall be free and act in accordance with law.
The State shall guarantee the freedom of the media to act and to exercise the right to seek, receive, use and disseminate information.
The mass media shall be responsible for the reliability of the information they provide.
Article 82.
Censorship shall not be permitted.
Obstruction or interference in the activity of the mass media shall entail liability in accordance with the law.
PART FOUR. ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL AND STATE STRUCTURE
Chapter XVI. Administrative and territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Article 83.
The Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of regions, districts, cities, towns, settlements, kishlaks and auls, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Article 84.
Alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, the city of Tashkent, as well as the formation and annulment of regions, cities, towns and districts, shall be sanctioned by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Chapter XVII. Republic of Karakalpakstan
Article 85.
The sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan is part of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The sovereignty of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be protected by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 86.
The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have its own Constitution.
The Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan must be in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 87.
The laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be binding on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Article 88.
The territory and boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not be altered without the consent of Karakalpakstan. The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be independent in determining its administrative and territorial structure.
Article 89.
The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nation-wide referendum held by the people of Karakalpakstan.
Article 90.
Mutual relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be regulated by treaties and agreements concluded by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Disputes between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be resolved through conciliation procedures.
PART FIVE. ORGANIZATION OF STATE AUTHORITY
Chapter XVIII. Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Article 91.
The supreme state representative body shall be the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan that exercises legislative power.
The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of two chambers — the Legislative Chamber (the lower chamber) and the Senate (the upper chamber).
The term of powers of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan is five years.
Article 92.
The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of one hundred fifty deputies elected in accordance with the law.
The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the chamber of territorial representation and consist of members of the Senate (senators).
Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected in equal quantity — in four persons — from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent by secret ballot at relevant joint sessions of deputies of Zhokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, representative bodies of state authority of regions, districts, cities and towns from among these deputies.
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 authoritative citizens with extensive practical experience and special merits in the sphere of science, art, literature, manufacture and other spheres of state and public activity.
A deputy of the Legislative Сhamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, may be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who has reached on the date of the elections twenty five years of age and permanently residing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan not less than five years. Requirements for candidates to be a deputy shall be determined by law.
One and the same person may not be simultaneously a deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 93.
The joint conduct of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:
1) adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;
2) adoption of the Constitutional laws and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;
3) ratification and denouncement of international treaties;
4) adoption of decision on holding a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan and designation the date of its holding;
5) determination of the guidelines of national and foreign policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and adoption of strategic state programs;
6) determination of the structure and powers of the bodies of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
7) admission of new state formations into the Republic of Uzbekistan and approval of decisions to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan;
8) legislative regulation of customs, currency and credit systems;
9) approval of the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;
10) determination of the maximum size of government debt of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
11) determination of taxes and other compulsory payments;
12) legislative regulation of the administrative and territorial structure, and alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
13) formation, annulment and renaming of districts, towns, cities and regions, and alteration of their boundaries;
14) institution of state awards and titles;
15) formation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
16) election of an Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and the Deputy of Ombudsman;
17) ratification of decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of condition of war in case of attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or necessity of implementation of contractual obligations on mutual defense from aggression;
18) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of general and partial mobilization, introducing, prolongation or discontinuance of the state of emergency;
19) hearing the annual National Report on anti-corruption in the Republic of Uzbekistan;
20) conducting parliamentary investigation;
21) exercising of other powers specified by the Constitution and laws.
The matters on joint conduct by the chambers shall be considered, as a rule, first by the Legislative Chamber and then by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 94.
The exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:
1) monitoring the execution of the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
2) hearing the report of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
3) consideration and approval of the candidature of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
4) hearing the reports of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on current issues of social and economic development of the country as well as the members of the Cabinet of Ministers on issues of their activities;
5) consideration and approval of the candidates to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
6) hearing the annual report of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the most crucial issues of social and economic life of the country;
7) submission of parliamentary inquiries to the officials of state bodies and implementation of other forms of parliamentary control;
8) election of the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the deputies of Speaker, chairpersons of committees and their deputies;
9) addressing the issues of depriving a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from immunity on representation of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
10) adoption of decisions on matters relating to the organization of the chamber's activities and its internal order;
11) adoption of the resolutions on certain issues in the field of political, social and economic life, as well as the issues of national and foreign policy of the state;
12) exercising other powers stipulated by the Constitution and laws.
The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be entitled to dissolve itself by the majority of not less than 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:
1) election the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the head of the republican anti-corruption body and the head of the republican anti-monopoly body on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
2) consideration and approval of the candidates for the posts of theProsecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the chairperson of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
3) conducting consultations on the candidature proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the post of the chairperson of State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
4) on the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan appointment and dismissal of the heads of diplomatic missions and other representations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in foreign states and international organizations on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
5) appointment and relief of the Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
6) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment and abolition of ministries and other republican bodies of executive power;
7) adoption of amnesty acts on representation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
8) hearing the 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) hearing the reports of the heads of diplomatic missions and other representations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in foreign states and international organizations on the issues of their activities;
10) submission of parliamentary inquiries to the officials of state bodies and carrying out other forms of parliamentary control;
11) assistance to the representative bodies of state power on the ground in the performance of their activities;
12) rescission of the decisions of representative bodies of state power on the ground in the case of their inconsistency with the norms of legislation;
13) election of the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies, chairpersons of committees and their deputies;
14) adoption of decisions on deprivation of a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from immunity on the representation of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
15) adoption of decisions on the matters relating to the organisation of chamber's activities and its internal organisation;
16) adopting resolutions on certain issues in the field of political, social and economic life, as well as on issues of national and foreign policy;
17) exercising the powers of the Oliy Majlis to legislate, with the exception of the Constitution and constitutional laws, during the dissolution of the Legislative Chamber;
18) exercising other powers stipulated by the Constitution and laws.
The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be entitled to dissolve itself by the majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of senators.
Article 96.
The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, after expiry of their terms of powers, shall continue their activity until the beginning of the work accordingly of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of new convocation.
The first sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked by the Central Election Commission accordingly not later than in two months after the elections to the Legislative Chamber and not later than in one month after the formation of the Senate.
Sittings of the Legislative Cha