Constitution Day in Uzbekistan

Constitution Day in Uzbekistan

The Constitution of Uzbekistan was officially adopted on December 8, 1992, during the 11th session of the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan. It replaced the 1978 constitution and became the supreme legal document of the newly independent Republic of Uzbekistan.

The constitutional process began in 1990 after the Declaration of Sovereignty. A dedicated commission of 64 members, led by President Islam Karimov, worked on drafting the new constitution. This involved leading specialists, legal experts, and representatives from across Uzbekistan, including Karakalpakstan.

Following public discussion and more than 6,000 public proposals, the final version was approved and published on December 15, 1992. It includes a preamble, 6 sections, 26 chapters, and 128 articles. The current version was republished in 2017 after a series of amendments.

The Constitution outlines state sovereignty, democracy, rule of law, human rights, and the administrative structure of the country. It affirms equality for all citizens, including Article 21 which recognizes Karakalpak citizens as citizens of Uzbekistan.

December 8 is now celebrated annually as Constitution Day across Uzbekistan. It’s a time to reflect on national identity, the rule of law, and the values of independence and democratic development.