Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan once again showed his strong commitment towards further politicization and democratization process in the country. Most recently, he addressed the first joint session of the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. He congratulated all the newly elected members of the Parliament.
President and Parliament Elections 2014
The President upheld his government efforts for holding the elections 2014 fair and free. He said rigorous participation of the more than 70,000 domestic and more than 340 foreign observers and representatives of reputable international organizations in the election 2014 showed that elections were held in an atmosphere of openness, transparency, in full accordance with the norms and standards of international law. It clearly demonstrated increased social and political activity of Uzbekistan’s society and its people, credibility and maturity of political parties and civic institutions, he further added.
Parliament Elections 2014: A True Reflection of Democratic changes and Reforms in Uzbekistan
Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan elaborated that the elections were a vivid reflection of the practical results of democratic changes and reforms in Uzbekistan which were promulgated in order to protect the rights, freedoms and interests, building a democratic state and strong civil society. The elections were attended by nearly 18.5 million people, or 88.9 percent of the voters he added.
Levels of Impartiality and Transparency
The President Islam Karimov explained that levels of impartiality and transparency were so high in the elections of 2014 that in 22 of the 135 constituencies where the election campaign of candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber held particularly acute, the deputies were not elected in the first round, and in these districts had to hold a second vote, indicating that the democratic elections took place throughout the country.
Positive Role of Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan
The President Karimov also thanked to the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, local election committees and thousands of activists who did everything to ensure that the elections passed in accordance with the law, rules of our Constitution, generally accepted democratic principles and requirements.
Rigorous Participation of Regional and International Organizations
He expressed his deep gratitude especially to the representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the National Electoral Commission of many countries, as well as experts and observers to foreign countries, under the charge of a mission election observation.
Objective Evaluation of Parliament
The President advised the newly elected members to objectively evaluate the performance of the Parliament, which has become a worthy contribution to the achievement of our practical results in the further deepening of democratic reforms and building civil society.
Outstanding Performance of Parliament
He summarized the outstanding performance of the former Parliament. According to him, the Parliament had adopted more than 140 laws and legal acts. It also adopted “strategic program of political and economic reforms in November 2010 entitled “the Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society in the country”. It proved first giant step towards further politicization and democratization in the country. It strengthened the concept of checks and balances. It upheld the concept of separation of power too. It promotes a vibrant and dynamic civil society in the country.
Power of Discussion and Decision
The President further explained that the Parliament was given power of wide discussion and decision under the laws of the Concept 27 which were an important factor and effective contribution to the further democratization and liberalization of state power and administration, ensuring the independence and autonomy of the judiciary, freedom of expression and information, freedom of choice and the development of the electoral system and civil institutions. It revolutionized the proceedings of the Parliament.
Powers of Different State’s Functionaries
The President Kairmov further explained that the amendments initiated in accordance with the concept of the Constitution in 2011 and 2014, and a number of other legislative acts adopted in the field of state-building, provided further optimization of the main subjects of the powers of state power the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Oliy Majlis, the government of the country, the development of mechanisms of checks and balances between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. It promoted a complete workable political system in the country which succeeded to achieve the desired goals of socio-economic prosperity.
Enhanced Role of Oliy Majlis
The President Kairmov was of the opinion that these reforms significantly increased the role of the Oliy Majlis and representative bodies on the ground in the government. It also expanded the independence, authority and the government’s responsibility, executive authorities for the unconditional implementation and further strengthening the effectiveness of the adopted laws he added. He mentioned that the special role of parliament in the country should be carried out systematic work on further democratic reform, liberalization of the judicial sphere. In the modern times, parliament is the supreme body in the country which is now being empowered in Uzbekistan.
Parliament and the Rule of the Law
He praised that about 30 acts of legislation adopted by the Parliament have become an important factor in ensuring the rule of law, strengthening the independence of the judiciary, improve the efficiency of the law enforcement system in the protection of the rights and freedoms.
Parliament and Establishment of Civil Society
He mentioned that the Parliament contributed significantly in the development of civil society, strengthening the autonomy and independence of the media. About 10 acts of legislation adopted in this area, including the Law “On Civil Society” in the new edition of the Law “On social partnership” and other regulations, significantly increased the role and importance of civil institutions in solving the major problems of social and economic development, increasing social activity of people, providing a balance of interests in society he further added.
Positive Role of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan
The President also acknowledged the positive role played by the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan. He said time has proved correctness of the 2008 decision to grant the fifteen seats in the Legislative Chamber of representatives of this movement.
Role of Legislative Chamber
The President talked high about the active role of the Parliament and its various groups in the Legislative Chamber in recent years which initiated 9 laws, including the Law “On Environmental Protection”, which played an important role in ensuring the protection of public health, environmental protection, natural resource management and active involvement in this area of civil institutions.
Parliament and Further Deepening of Democratic and Market reforms
He further explained that the Parliament has adopted more than 30 acts of legislation that have become an important foundation for the further deepening of democratic and market reforms, liberalization, economic restructuring, the extensive development of small business, entrepreneurship, farming movement.
Implementation Phases
He showcased that to-day the Oliy Majlis works on the proposal of the government annually reviews and approves the program to create jobs and employment, exercise parliamentary control over its implementation. Only on the basis of implementation of the program in 2014 in the country created more than 980,000 jobs, including for young people, graduates of professional colleges he further added.
Legislation and ongoing Global Financial and Economic Crises
He praised the different laws, acts and reforms of the Parliament which has successfully mitigated the impacts of ongoing global financial and economic crises and maintained a sustainable socio-economic development in the country. He proudly mentioned that Uzbekistan among the few countries in the world over the last 10 years the growth rate of gross domestic product remained no less than 8 percent due to which industrial production, investment and real incomes are dynamically growing. It has always been the visionary political leadership (H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan) who introduces appropriate legislation for the further strengthening of economic reforms and sails the hopes of its people towards the shores of stability and sustainability.
The President also highlighted the notable work of the Oliy Majlis for the introduction of new, modern forms of legislative activity in the country.
Openness of State Power & Control
Legislative Chamber first conducted an experiment on testing the legal provisions of the Law “On the openness of state power and control.” Experiment, according to foreign experts, wore a unique character and allowed to work the modern methods of preparation and adoption of quality, meeting the requirements of today’s legislative acts he further explained.
Utility of Institute for Monitoring of legislation
He talked that the creation of the Institute for Monitoring of legislation greatly contributed and improved the efficiency of parliamentary activities in systematic manners. He upheld that as independent structure it has a serious impact on the qualitative improvement of the legal, legislative work. The said institute conducted the comparative analysis of the current legislation and the study of international experience rulemaking. He mentioned that these works allowed us to find the best solution to a legislative task that requires their further development, creation of necessary organizational and technical conditions.
Goals of Further Politicization & Democratization
The President showcased the outcome of the goals set exactly ten years ago created a bicameral parliament, which constantly works on a professional basis Legislative Chamber, as well as acts of territorial representation Legislature Senate fully achieved. Significantly increased the quality of laws more effectively ensures a balance of regional, sectoral and national interests, he further added. He stressed the need to have an objective assessment of the work of the Oliy Majlis crucially, to meet modern standards and improve the quality of law-making, legislation.
Shortcomings of Parliament
The President as an expert political scientist also pinpointed the shortcoming of the Parliament. He admitted that the Oliy Majlis paid insufficient attention to zakonoprimeneniyu, law enforcement practice.
He explained that
“We are a small wonder: what has changed with the adoption of these laws in our lives, how they affect the development progress of the socio-political, socio-economic and judicial reforms. So, we are talking about the liberalization of legislation, together with the results of this work can best be evaluated by how they felt liberalization people in their daily lives that talking about it, journalists, columnists. At the same time we must recognize that a feedback mechanism allowing Parliament to build its work considering how to make them laws affect people’s lives, economic and political development, practically does not work”.
Actual Problem
He elaborated that it seems that the actual problem today should be enshrined in the laws governing the legislative activity of the Oliy Majlis of such legal mechanisms that would provide for the compulsory study of the process of bringing legislation to the performers as well as the effectiveness of enforcement and on this basis – ensuring prompt corrective action in the program of legislative, control and analytical work of the House of Parliament.
Specific Mechanism
The President mentioned that there should be specific mechanisms for the implementation of existing laws, acts, and reforms. Implementation of appropriate regulations acts without which the provisions of these laws simply do not work should also be enhanced. He was of the opinion that there must be coordination among all the organs of the state for the implementation of these laws and their multiplier effects must also be communicated to people.
Rationalization of Practical Laws
The President Islam Kairmov rightly pinpointed that practicality of the given laws must be rationalized which may reduce duplication and inconsistencies encountered in legislation process. He also mentioned the law “On Joint Stock Companies and the protection of shareholder rights.” He explained different aspects of corporate governance, rights of the minority shareholders and overall company operations. He said that other areas of law, in particular administrative, criminal, economic legislation, were not simultaneously with the adoption of this law provided legal and administrative, judicial and legal mechanisms to ensure its implementation.
Joint and Giant Work of all the Organs
Islam Kairmov categorically mentioned that we must clearly understand that the measures taken in the field of deepening market reforms, in particular, those incentives, preferences that we set in the laws of development of small business, private enterprise, will work only if they are supported by other legal institutions the above-mentioned areas of law and, above all, judicial and legal mechanisms of action.
Full Implementation
He rightly said that it is important to ensure that the laws of direct action, codified acts of legislation, the timely publication of regulations to ensure full implementation of the newly adopted laws. He advised the Parliament being the supreme legislative body to pay full attention to these issues and work of its ratification. The Parliament must be interested not only in its absolute performance, but also to ensure consistency, systematic legislation, a complete system of legal regulation in general.
He upheld the importance of broad, efficient discussion of draft laws at various levels of government, civil society institutions. It should be noted that we do not deal with this practically any deal formally.
“There are many reasons apparently afraid that the bill in the course of such discussions “will acquire” new provisions against which it must be changed to process. At the same time we have the ambition and, inadequate training developer’s bills, he further added.
Mandatory Inputs
He said that in order to improve the quality, efficiency legislation, it is mandatory to carry out a thorough discussion of bills involving a wide range of scientists, highly qualified experts.
Importance of Draft Laws
He rightly proposed different steps to be taken to discuss the draft laws, especially those of legislative acts and decisions that directly affect the vital interests of the social rights of the population, it is necessary to attract wide public, representatives of civil institutions. He also stressed the need to have an active participation of the civil society in the preparation of draft laws and afterwards their implementation. He suggested a comprehensive public awareness of its legislative, control and analytical work in order to ensure the transparency of the Houses of Parliament.
Qualitatively higher level of work on discussion
The President clearly mentioned the importance of a qualitatively higher level of work on discussion, elaboration of draft laws on the basis of a comprehensive, in-depth comparative analysis of foreign jurisprudence. We must admit that this issue, we also do not pay enough attention.
Diversified but Integrated Measures
He also suggested many diversified but integrated measures i.e. holding various conferences, seminars, “round tables” devoted to the study of the experience of legislative activity of democratic countries, as well as a comparative analysis of upcoming bills with a model for similar laws adopted in developed foreign countries would give new material for enrichment of a specific draft law and our legislation as a whole.
Efficiency and the Analytical work carried out in Parliament
He was of the opinion that it required a significant increase in the efficiency of the analytical work carried out in Parliament, the level of training, knowledge, competence, in other words, the professionalism of the deputies themselves. In this svyaziobespechenie continuously improve the level of professionalism of the deputies should be the most important thing in the next five years, all the work of the Oliy Majlis.
Role of Political Parties & Factions
He said the all-round increase in the activity of the Legislative Chamber of the role and importance of political party factions, further gradual development of a multi-party system as a whole would bring desired goals in the days to come. He emphasized the importance of the 2007 Constitutional Law “On strengthening the role of political parties in the renewal and further democratization of state governance and modernization of the country.” To him the said law clearly defined the legal status of the faction, including for the first time the status of the parliamentary majority and the parliamentary opposition, its exclusive rights and guarantees efficient operation. It greatly enhanced the role of deputy groups in representative bodies to monitor the activities of government in the field. These and a number of other key provisions of the law had a huge impact on the development and strengthening of a real multi-party system in the country he further elaborated.
Importance of debate competition of ideas and programs, alternative drafts
The President upheld the importance of the debate competition of ideas and programs, alternative drafts which should be conducted by the principal, the most important socio-economic, political and substantive issues on a professional basis.
Role of individual deputies
He stated that the initiative, the activity of political factions and individual deputies must be enhanced. He said that in the past five years from 140 Acts of Parliament, only 19 were initiated by the deputies of the Legislative Chamber. However, only 3 of them are new, holistic legislative acts, and the remaining 16 were associated with the introduction of the existing laws of certain changes and additions, which were mostly legal-technical nature.
Complete Overhauling
He was of the opinion that there should be complete overhauling in the activity of fractions of all the political parties and their deputies on the initiation and promotion of laws. It must become more active and meaningful, built around the interests and attitudes of political parties of these fractions, their electorate.
Proper and Timely Communication Strategies
He advised that the position of the parties and their fractions, for whatever laws are factional debates on vital issues of socio-political, socio-economic razvitiyadolzhny in its entirety communicated to the general public, to the voters. This is the essence of the democratic organization of power, democracy and parliamentary system. He also mentioned that even the activity or participation of the media is not up to par.
The President suggested that in the context of constitutional reforms on a new basis must be built chambers of the Oliy Majlis, and above all factions in the implementation of parliamentary control over the activities of government, unconditional execution of laws, most important state programs of socio-economic and socio-political development. He mentioned that only 7 queries were initiated on specific social issues which must be increased.
New Constitutional Conditions of Parliamentary Hearings
“Today there is no need to say that the new constitutional conditions of parliamentary hearings, systematic reports of the members of the government, heads of state and economic management on the status of execution of legal requirements, detailed answers to questions deputies should become everyday parliamentary practice he elaborated”.
Radical Improvement of the Deputies with Voters
He talked that the most important task is a radical improvement of the deputies with voters, the introduction to the work of the chambers of modern methods of parliamentary control, including the formation and implementation of the State budget – this is an important economic document of the country.
Law of Parliament Control
He said that a host of other modern forms and methods to exercise control of the Oliy Majlis has already been systematically and clearly fixed in the law “On parliamentary control”, a project that is now widely discussed in the expert community of the country. He outlined different tasks to be achieved in order to increase the efficiency of the Parliament and the interaction between the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis has paramount importance.
Joint Work of Two Houses of Parliament
He emphasize that the two Houses of Parliament must work jointly. He admitted that in the past, at the beginning of practice bicameral parliament have been instances when, instead of to work together, to achieve common goals, defining the meaning of legislative activity, often between the chambers was a lawsuit which of the chambers of a competent, better understand the essence and meaning of laws.
Creation of Coordinating Council
He explained that the creation of the Coordinating Council on the organization of interaction chambers of Oliy Majlis, consisting of their representatives, and a number of other legal measures taken in recent years, this problem today removed from the agenda.
Growing Tensions and Role of Uzbekistan
As an expert of geo-politics the President said that we cannot disturb the growing tensions and risks, growing geopolitical confrontation, amplifying the struggle for spheres of influence, radicalism, terrorism and extremism.
Enhanced Mutual Understanding
He wished that other states, in order to prevent real threats to peace and security and preservation of the country’s climate of peace and stability, the atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmony must clearly and clearly define its position of principle and policy. He labeled the Constitutional Law “On approval of the Concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan” provided the necessary guidelines.
Cornerstone of Foreign Policy
The President clearly mentioned the importance of having friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries, especially with our neighbors. The most important thing Uzbekistan has been and remains a supporter of the peace policy, which in the first place, is to not join any military blocs, avoiding placement on our territory of foreign military bases and stay of our troops abroad, he further added.
Importance and Implementation of Article 98
The President quoted Article 98 of Constitution and acting upon the relevant laws clearly defined procedure for nominating candidates for the post of Prime Minister, political parties receiving at the end of the election the largest number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of Parliament, the President of the consideration of the candidates, discussion and approval by the chambers Oliy Majlis. He elaborated that, in accordance with the amended Constitution of the latest changes and additions are much expanded tasks, powers, in a word, the responsibility of the Prime Minister and the executive has already been incorporated.
Pre-requisites of Prime Minister
H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan laid down the prerequisites of the Prime Minister slot which must have deep knowledge, broad thinking, great life and managerial experience, tempered in various trials. He must be a man demanding and competent in the development of the country, ready to take responsibility for the implementation of large-scale projects, most importantly, able to all situations to engage in dialogue with people, able to gain authority other than his human qualities of course, all this is quite complex and difficult task. He proposed Mirziyoyev Shavkat Miromonovich as the next Prime Minister of the country.
Concluding Remarks
H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan once again showed his strong commitment towards further deepening of politicization and democratization in the country. In his historic address to first joint session of the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan he stressed the urgent need to have an efficient parliament and a dynamic civil society. He emphasized the positive role of all the political parties and their factions for the betterment of the people at large. He rightly talked about the joint efforts on the part of all the organs of the state to achieve the desired goals of social development, political dispensation, people participation, rule of the law and progressive media outlets in the country.
The President wanted to have an open society, independent judiciary, institutionalization of corporate governance, and rigorous legislation for the prosperity of his people. He also pinpointed drawbacks in the functioning of the Parliament and its subordinate institutions in the country which needs to be rectified as soon as possible.
It is secrete of all the ancient human civilizations and modern political systems that 4Ps (President, Prime Minister, Parliament, People) has always been playing crucial role in the development of important organs of the state and national capacity building. Their convergences promote peace, harmony and tolerance in the given society. Their better understanding spread the spirits of accommodation, production and progressiveness. On the other hand, their undue and injustice divergences create havoc in the societies. Due to which H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan has rightly stressed the need to have joint and giant efforts among all the important organs of the state, major stakeholders and of course people to achieve the desired goals of qualitative life, high growth rates, diversification of economy, vibrant political, responsible media, participatory role of NGOs and the last but not the least, massive participation of the people in the decision making process in the country.
Road towards stability and sustainability of the macro-economy, knowledge based economy and further deepening of politicization and democratization process in the Republic of Uzbekistan heavily relies on the continuation of the political system, reforms/policies/programs, protection of basic human rights, generation of jobs and respect of human capital and as visionary leader H.E. Islam Karimov the President of Uzbekistan is doing his level best to bring all the possible changes at every level for the welfare of the masses.