Final Draft of Constitutional Amendments Reportedly Ready in Uzbekistan – The Diplomat

Crossroads Asia | Politics | Central Asia

Consultations proceed concerning amendments to Uzbekistan structure, however on March 6 a ultimate draft was reportedly ready. 

Uzbekistan embarked relatively disastrously on a constitutional revision course of final yr with the late June launch of a draft that included, amongst different controversial provisions, the scrapping of the Karakalpak Republic’s autonomous standing and most critically its constitutional proper to secede. The unique launch of the draft envisioned a 10-day interval of public remark, however occasions rapidly overtook plans. Protests erupted in Nukus, Karakalpakstan’s capital. The protests had been suppressed and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev flew to the area to personally announce the scrapping of these specific provisions.

The constitutional reform course of has since marched slowly and thoroughly onward, simply because the state has pursued dozens of prices in opposition to greater than two dozen defendants. 

In late January, a courtroom in Bukhara handed down sentences within the first of two trials of people stemming from the unrest in Karakalpakstan. Dauletmurat Tadzhimuratov, a lawyer and journalist accused of orchestrating the unrest, was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

Tazhimuratov had publicly referred to as for a “no” vote if a referendum was held. He mentioned he would “personally [go] to a peaceable and authorized rally” to demand a referendum on secession from Uzbekistan if such amendments had been authorised. For this — and for the response of the general public to his preliminary arrest — he was tried and convicted of, amongst different issues, “allegedly plotting to grab energy by disrupting the constitutional order” and “organizing mass unrest.” Provided that Karakalpakstan’s proper to secede is actually within the structure — and numerous legal guidelines technically shield the rights to speech and meeting — it’s perplexing that calling for such a factor has been judged as unlawful. 

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A second trial is ongoing, with 39 folks on trial going through numerous prices. As Eurasianet reviews, this second trial has acquired far much less consideration each inside and outdoors Uzbekistan, though authorities are searching for dozen-year sentences for a number of the defendants.

With the Karakalpakstan amendments put aside, one of many extra carefully watched features of the looming referendum is its impression on Mirziyoyev. Earlier drafts included the lengthening of the presidential time period from 5 to seven years. Will this modification, because it did below the administration of Islam Karimov, “zero-out” Mirziyoyev’s two five-year phrases as president and current him with the chance to occupy the Uzbek presidency for years to return? And what does that say concerning the political growth of Uzbekistan, about its democracy?

Final summer time, numerous reviews said that the draft included amendments and additions to greater than 60 articles within the structure. Each time the referendum is definitely scheduled, some will ask if the Uzbek folks have been sufficiently knowledgeable concerning the impression of those many modifications. And given Uzbekistan’s historical past of elections judged as neither free nor honest, some with marvel if they’ve any selection in any respect.

Mirziyoyev hosted a gathering on March 6 with deputies from the Oliy Majlis’ Legislative Chamber and Senate, in addition to the management of the nation’s Supreme Court docket, to think about the outcomes of public suggestions on constitutional amendments. In accordance the president’s workplace, greater than 200,000 proposals had been submitted and thought of. The press launch stresses that earlier than the constitutional revisions are submitted for a referendum there have been a number of months price of consultations. “On this course of, the parliament and the federal government, members of the general public categorical their proposals and opinions on the draft legislation.” Individually, Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Court docket may even weigh in.

In December, RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service had reported a authorities supply suggesting the referendum can be held within the spring, after the Nowruz vacation in late March. A selected date has not been introduced, nevertheless it’s clear that the Mirziyoyev authorities is making ready to make a play at constitutional change quickly.