Uzbekistan is an Asian landlocked country sharing a border with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The population of this country is approx 3,75,35,000 with 4,47,400 square kilometers area. Uzbekistan was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Ethnically, 84% of the citizens are Uzbek, the official language is Uzbek, and 94% of the citizens follow Islam.
Article 39 of Uzbekistan's Constitution is a game-changer. What does it say? “Pensions, allowances and other kinds of welfare may not be lower than the officially fixed minimum subsistence wage.” If a person saves for a pension their entire life, only to find at age 60 that inflation has made it impossible to sustain their old age with their pension, then the entire pension system would be considered meaningless. However, to receive a pension equal to or greater than the minimum wage, one must contribute premiums at the government-set rate. If someone pays premiums in a "whenever I feel like it" manner but expects a standard pension, that wouldn’t be reasonable either.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
There is a separatist mentality in a part of Uzbekistan. There is recognition of autonomy for part of the state. According to Articles 93 and 94 of the Constitution, the president enjoys dictatorial powers.
Admirable Articles of Uzbekistan's Constitution
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 therefore 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 bodies of authority contrary to the procedure prescribed by the Constitution, as well as the formation of new or parallel bodies of authority shall be regarded as unconstitutional and punishable by law.
Article 15
The Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have absolute supremacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The state, its bodies, officials, public associations and citizens shall act in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
Article 18
All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have equal rights and freedoms, and shall be equal before law without discrimination by sex, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, convictions, individual and social status.
Any privileges may be granted solely by law and must conform to the principles of social justice.
Article 29
Everyone shall be guaranteed freedom of thought, speech and convictions. Everyone shall have the right to seek, obtain and disseminate any information except that which is directed against the existing constitutional system and some other instances specified by law.
Freedom of opinions and their expression may be restricted by law if any state or other secret is involved.
Article 30
All state bodies, public associations and officials in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall allow citizens access to documents, resolutions and other materials relating to their rights and interests.
Article 31
Freedom of conscience shall be guaranteed to all. Everyone shall have the right to profess or not to profess any religion. A compulsory imposition of religion shall be impermissible.
Article 39
Everyone shall have the right to social security in old age, in the event of disability and loss of the bread-winner, as well as in some other cases specified by law.
Pensions, allowances and other kinds of welfare may not be lower than the officially fixed minimum subsistence wage.
Article 42
Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of research and engineering work, the right to enjoy cultural benefits.
The state shall promote the cultural, scientific and technical development of the society.
Article 46
Women and men shall have equal rights.
Article 47
All citizens shall perform the duties established by the Constitution.
Article 48
Citizens shall be obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, and to respect the rights, freedoms, honour and dignity of others.
Article 64
Parents shall be obliged to support and care for their children until the latter are of age.
The state and society shall support, care for and educate orphaned children, as well as children deprived of parental guardianship, and encourage charity in their favour.
Article 66
Able-bodied children, who are of age, shall be obliged to care for their parents.
Facts of Uzbekistan's Constitution
Chapter XVII. REPUBLIC OF KARAKALPAKSTAN
Article 70
The sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan is a part of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The sovereignty of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be protected by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Article 71
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 72
Laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be binding on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Article 73
The territory and boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not be altered without its consent. The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be independent in determining its administrative and territorial structure.
Article 74
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 75
Mutual relationship 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 negotiated by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Disputes between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be settled by the way of reconciliation.
Article 93 (Part of it)
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:
● appoint and relieve judges of regional, interdistrict, district, city, martial and economic courts of their posts;
Article 94
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue decrees, resolutions and ordinances binding on the entire territory of the Republic on the basis of and for enforcement of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
