The Constitution — The bedrock of Uzbekistan’s trust, stability, and future

The Constitution — The bedrock of Uzbekistan’s trust, stability, and future

8 December marks Constitution Day in the Republic of Uzbekistan - a date that holds a distinct place in the nation’s modern history. Adopted in 1992, the Constitution laid the foundational pillars of the country’s independence, the rule of law, and its democratic evolution. It set the trajectory for the emergence of a young sovereign state, defined the core principles of its governance, and charted the path toward building an open, peaceful, and humanistic society.

The Constitution emerged as the decisive document that established the normative framework for shaping a sovereign Uzbekistan. It enshrined the political, economic, and social model of the future state — a model rooted in democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the freedoms of the individual.

The adoption of the Constitution marked a pivotal step in the institutionalization of Uzbekistan’s independence, laying a solid legal foundation for all subsequent political and socio-economic reforms.

On 8 December 1992, the Constitution was formally adopted during a session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, thereby acquiring the status of the Fundamental Law of the newly independent state.

The dynamic evolution of society, the growing expectations of citizens, and the need to introduce modern democratic standards created the prerequisites for a profound renewal of the Constitution. The new stage of national development — widely referred to as the period of shaping the New Uzbekistan — called for a substantial expansion of political, social, and legal guarantees. It was within this context that a far-reaching constitutional reform was carried out in 2023, marking a genuine milestone in the country’s history.

The drafting of the new edition of the Constitution also unfolded through an extensive process of public consultation. More than 222,000 proposals were submitted by citizens — an unprecedented level of civic engagement. Specially established commissions and expert groups thoroughly reviewed these public initiatives, incorporating the most relevant and widely supported ideas into the updated text. This process became clear evidence that Uzbekistan’s Constitution is genuinely a people’s Constitution — a document shaped through the direct participation of society itself.

The referendum held on 30 April 2023, in which millions of citizens took part, served as the ultimate confirmation of the people’s collective choice and will. A large-scale international observation mission—comprising representatives of major international organizations as well as national and foreign civil society institutions—ensured a high degree of transparency and legitimacy throughout the process. Following the vote, the new edition of the Constitution was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of participants and entered into force on 1 May 2023.

The updated Constitution represents a major stride toward the further democratization of the country. It enshrined fundamentally new approaches to governance and human rights, expanded social protections, and strengthened mechanisms for safeguarding individual freedoms. The number of articles increased from 128 to 155, the number of chapters from 26 to 27, and the total number of provisions from 275 to 434. In effect, more than 65 percent of the Constitution was renewed, underscoring the depth and scope of the reforms undertaken.

One of the most significant achievements of the reform was the formal recognition of Uzbekistan as a social state. The Constitution now reflects a new generation of social commitments: ensuring access to affordable housing, guaranteeing a minimum wage that provides a decent standard of living, strengthening social support for the most vulnerable groups of the population, and improving the quality of medical care. These provisions embody a modern understanding of justice, equal opportunities, and human dignity.

The updated Constitution significantly strengthens guarantees for human rights and freedoms. It introduces provisions prohibiting forced labor, abolishing the death penalty, protecting citizens from arbitrary detention, and limiting pre-trial detention without a court decision to no more than 48 hours. Mechanisms ensuring judicial independence have been reinforced, and requirements for the accountability of state bodies and officials have been increased. These reforms are crucial for reinforcing the rule of law and safeguarding the legal protections of citizens.

The 2023 Constitution also reflects significant developments in the sphere of international relations. For the first time, the constitutional framework established new institutional foundations for Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, aligning with the course of the New Uzbekistan toward openness to the world, the strengthening of good-neighborly relations, and active participation in global processes. It affirms that international treaties take precedence over domestic legislation, enhancing Uzbekistan’s integration into the global legal space and ensuring that national laws comply with international standards. The Constitution also guarantees a ban on the extradition of Uzbek citizens, further reinforcing the protection of their rights abroad.

The foreign policy principles enshrined in the new edition also reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening regional stability, developing mutually beneficial relations with partners, expanding economic diplomacy, and actively engaging in addressing global challenges. These provisions demonstrate that the foreign policy of the New Uzbekistan now rests on a solid institutional foundation, contributing to the enhancement of the country’s international standing.

Today, Uzbekistan is confidently advancing along the path of modernization, improving governance, strengthening rights and freedoms, and creating conditions for human development and economic growth. The updated Constitution underpins this trajectory, serving as a key reference point for both the state and society. Each citizen, guided by the Fundamental Law, reinforces their confidence in the future, in justice, and in the sustainable development of their homeland.