STRATEGY AS ROADMAP FOR MODERNIZATION

The Action Strategy along Five Priority Development Areas in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021 has been acknowledged by the Uzbek society with great enthusiasm. The underlying paper specifies the milestones to be achieved by the nation in the next five years, along with mechanisms to raise living standards.

The policy document is built on the provisions related to the protection and promotion of human interests. The key dimensions were put forward by Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his recent electoral program and in his speeches delivered at the festive meeting on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, at the joint session of bоth houses of the Oliy Majlis and the extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Action Strategy is carried out in five stages, each of which provides for the elaboration and approval of a separate annual state program and its implementation in accordance with the declared title of the year. To this end, the State Program on the Implementation of the Action Strategy in the Year of Dialogue with People and Human Interests has been stamped on this basis.

The Strategy has defined five priority areas of development. They include the improvement of state and nation building, provision for the rule of law and further reformation of the judicial system, promotion and liberalization of the economy, social development, security, interethnic harmony and religious tolerance, implementation of balanced and constructive foreign policy.

The pillars are aimed at radical enhancement in the effectiveness of reforms, at the delivery of an environment conducive for integrated, harmonious and swift advancement of the country and civil society, modernization and liberalization of all areas of life.

Improvement of state and nation building ranks among the principal priorities of development in Uzbekistan. It implies taking specific steps to further strengthen the role of parliament and political parties in the enhancement of democratic reforms and modernization of public life. Namely, the representative bodies create a robust and effectual legal platform for the successful solution of strategic tasks, since building a democratic state with high priority placed on human rights, freedoms, honor and dignity is seen as a primary goal in Uzbekistan.

Drastic improvement in the quality of legislative work, consolidation of the significance and role of the leading political forces in the life of the nation is the most important factor in implementation of the Action Strategy in the next five years, in the delivery of favorable conditions for the country’s development and modernization in the long run.

In 2017, in accordance with objectives of the Strategy, bоth houses of the Oliy Majlis will work on 50 bills, 18 of which are new laws, and more than 30 are the legal acts that introduce amendments and addenda to the legislation aiming to improve relations in all spheres of life of the people.

In particular, it is stipulated to develop 17 draft laws in the state and public construction, 18 bills in the judicial sector, 7 bills will relate to the liberalization of the economy, 4 bills in the social sector, and 3 bills with regard to foreign policy. As instructed by the President, the current year’s state program includes drafting of the national program on improvement of legal culture in society.

As previously reported, the Law ‘On parliamentary control’ was adopted in April 2016. It secured clear mechanisms, forms and methods of its implementation. The new forms included a parliamentary inquiry, requests by senators and deputies, functions of the Senate Commission for Control over Prosecutor Bodies, which was initiated by the houses of parliament, among other initiatives.

At the same time, committed to its goals, objectives and principles, the parliamentary control should continuously evolve in line with changes in the society. The Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests spotlights the creation of such mechanisms of parliamentary control as the study of the situation on the ground, an open and trustful dialogue with the people. The ten-day long trips of senators and deputies around the country, face to face meetings with the population in February have proved the effectiveness of this approach and allowed to see how one or another law can be practically applied with respect to each individual family, resident of the region, to reveal the causes of the problems.

In December 2016, the upper house of parliament established the Committee on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investment and Tourism on the basis of the Committee for Foreign Policy in order to further strengthen the role of Parliament in the implementation of foreign policy on protection and promotion of national interests on the world stage, expansion of international economic cooperation, attraction of foreign investments and modern technologies in the regions of the country, development of tourism, strengthening of the country’s international image, and strengthening of parliamentary control in this field. Its structure and powers have been expanded, the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate was introduced to coordinate the implementation of related programs and business plans.

In view of that, the Parliament has an additional function for the current year to introduce amendments and addenda to the constitutional laws ‘On the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan’ and ‘On the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan’, as well as to regulations of the chambers on their implementation in the international law on the state’s foreign policy. Certain measures will be taken to streamline the legal mechanism of the organization of inter-parliamentary co-operation groups, thereby expanding opportunities of the Uzbek parliamentary diplomacy in the implementation of national interests.

The main idea of ​​the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests comes primarily to the establishment of effective feedback of the state and society, ensuring transparency of public authorities and administration. The routine work of representative bodies, namely the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis, should be optimally transparent, because, being volitionally elected by the people; representatives have to be accountable to them.

Measures on enhancement of the role of political parties in the state and public construction will be taken as part of the Action Strategy. It is planned to introduce amendments to the law ‘On political parties’, which extend the rights and powers of the parliamentary groups of political parties in Councils of people’s representatives in terms of strengthening control over local authorities. Party groups will be able to submit proposals for consideration of socio-economic development of districts at sessions of the local councils, proposals for hearing reports of executives of local authorities, as well as of unsatisfactory performance of executive authorities. Specialists are also working on the development of a mechanism of consulting with party groups on the nomination of municipal and local governors with consideration by the regional Council of People’s Representatives.

The Action Strategy stipulates the expansion of guarantees for reliable protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms, expansion of their access to justice, effectiveness and quality of court proceedings as key vectors of reforms in the judicial sector.

The Presidential Decree on measures to radically improve the structure and efficiency of the judicial system in the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed 21 February 2017, was an important step in the implementation of outlined objectives, which marked the transition of the related state policy to a drastically new level.

The Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan was instituted in pursuance of the document in order to radically change the system of selection and appointment of judges, raise the status and powers of the body in charge for the formation of highly qualified judge corps.

As part of the judicial community, the Council is called to ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of judiciary independence. It is assigned with the formation of the judiciary on the basis open, transparent and competitive selection of candidates from among the most qualified experts, with the adoption of measures on preventing the violation of the integrity of judges and interference in their activity when it comes to justice and dialogue with the public.

The Supreme Judicial Council was delegated with the power of assignment for the post and dismissal of judges, except for judges of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Military Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city, as agreed with the President of Uzbekistan.

The unification of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Economic Court of the republic into a unified supreme judicial authority in civil, criminal, administrative and economic proceedings – a Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan is an important provision of the Decree. This measure will help to avoid the duplication of functions of judicial system management, and develop a unified court practice.

The parallel operation of the two highest judicial authorities did not ensure a uniform

application of legislation, and led to the adoption of different solutions on similar issues.

The construction of a new system of courts empowered to consider the disputes arising from public legal relations, as well as cases on administrative offenses is of particular importance.

A panel of judges on administrative affairs of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, administrative courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city, district (municipal) administrative courts will be established for the first time to ensure the implementation of citizens’ rights to appeal against illegal actions (or inaction) of state bodies and their officials.

Previously, complaints against actions (or inaction) of state bodies and their officials were considered by civil courts and economic courts in accordance with the Civil and Commercial Procedure Codes, and cases of administrative offenses were in charge of criminal courts in accordance with the Administrative Liability Code.

From now and on, such cases will be considered by newly created administrative courts. It is also planned to draft new laws ‘On the administrative proceedings’ and ‘On administrative procedures’ in order to establish a procedural order of consideration of administrative cases, strengthen the rule of law in state bodies, introduce modern procedures for the implementation of the rights and legitimate interests of legal entities and individuals.

Based on the current requirements, and in pursuance of the further improvement of protection of the rights of business entities, economic courts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city will be reorganized into the corresponding business courts. Meanwhile, inter-district, district (municipal) business courts are being established in view of the consistent growth of the economic potential of the country and the number of business entities.

The need for them is entailed by the availability of economic courts solely on the regional level. Due to their remoteness from certain districts, entrepreneurs had to repeatedly travel to the regional center, spending their time and funds, starting from the filing of the claim and finishing with the court resolution of the dispute.

The transfer of the authorized manpower of the military courts from the Armed Forces to the Supreme Court system is another important measure. Enrollment of the military judges in the staff of the Ministry of Defense was not fully consistent with the fundamental principles of judicial independence, the organization of its activities, since the Ministry is not the executive authority.

Much attention is paid to the introduction of information and communication technologies in functions of the courts, which should raise the effectiveness of the judicial system and the population’s access to justice.

According to experts, the Decree envisages historical transformations that will streamline and optimize the judicial system of Uzbekistan in accordance with modern requirements and international standards of justice.

The adoption of the Strategy and its public discussion has demonstrated a high level of development of civil society in Uzbekistan, the political culture of citizens, as well as the ability of the state and its political leaders to take a realistic and reasonable approach in assessing major challenges and problems in the course of development of the policy document.

The policy document proves the importance of the country’s achievements over the years of independence. Solely a stable and actively evolving society can afford a strategic planning. Such tools are not available in the countries that have serious problems in the national economy, security, and lack an effective dialogue between different social groups.

Uzbekistan confidently ranks among the leaders of the region in terms of development, and is rapidly moving toward the achievement of its major goal of joining the ranks of advanced democratic states.

The Strategy promises to mobilize the national constructive potential and increase the responsibility of the people for the achievement of common goals, motivate and coordinate individual and joint efforts.

It will enable the country to achieve new and tangible results in its development, create drastically new conditions for the life of citizens.

(As part of the social order of the Oliy Majlis Public Fund for the Support of NGOs and Other Civil Society Institutions).

Catering to Interests of All Population Segments

Stefan Priesner,

UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan:

The adoption of the Strategy defines a five-year development of Uzbekistan, so the international community welcomes this commitment of the country’s administration.

This is highly important for the United Nations Development Program. The outlined goals meet the objectives of partnership with UN agencies in Uzbekistan. Moreover, they represent the interests of all segments of the population.

The Ideas Meet OSCE Commitments

John MacGregor,

OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan:

I have participated in many events that discussed the draft Action Strategy. The document is surely rather impressive. Each of the five priority areas deserves great attention. Many of the ideas of the Strategy are consistent with OSCE objectives and commitments.

The cooperation with international organizations and their assistance is essential for the implementation of this important policy document.

New Media Projects

Firdavs Abdukhalikov,

Board Chairman of NAEMM:

The National Association has been running several media projects jointly with nongovernmental electronic media, aimed at broad, balanced and quality coverage of the approved Action Strategy. In doing so, we create specialized media platforms for the dialogue between the state and society, conduct training workshops to advance the professional level of journalists. For example, supported by the OSCE and US coaches, we conducted a training workshop for the employees of regional TV and radio studios on advanced technologies of talk show production. We have planned about a dozen such trainings for the current year.

In Line With Real Needs of the People

Thomas Kunze,

Regional Representative of the

Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia:

Initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Action Strategy is an important event in the life of the country.

Its principles and objectives correspond with international practice. As we know, national development strategies in Germany, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea and other countries bring positive results.

I was very impressed by the discussion of this document. It involved the general public, representatives of ministries and agencies, as well as international organizations and foreign experts.

Such a nationwide discussion brought about many opinions and proposals that were submitted to the government. They revealed citizens’ views on the situation in different areas of social and public life, helped to find rational solutions for pressing issues and complement the Strategy with the provisions that meet the real needs of people.

Effective Solutions

Dilorom Fayzieva,

Member of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis:

Representatives of the general public, business community leaders and government experts were actively involved in the development of the Action Strategy of Uzbekistan. The current legislation, information and analytical materials of international organizations, their reports, recommendations and comments, the experience of developed countries have been analyzed in the course of the nationwide discussion. This suggests that the program document embodied the wishes of professionals and experts, as well as the population.

It is planned to increase the role of the Oliy Majlis in the state power system, further expand its powers in respect of vital issues of domestic and foreign policy, in implementation of parliamentary control over the executive authority.

Beginning with the current year, as stipulated by the Action Strategy, a post of Executive Secretary of political party factions in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis will be instituted to strengthen the capacity of each political party in defending its policy in the lower house of parliament. This step should make the search for the common position of the faction more effective, and coordinate its members.

All of these measures will build a strong foundation for parliamentarians to effectively address the urgent problems of the population, and be actively involved in the development of regions.

Close Attention to Interethnic Harmony

Viktor Pak,

Chairman of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan:

The Strategy focuses on the interethnic consent to ensure the further prosperity of our country, which is home to peaceful and harmonious coexistence of representatives of over 130 ethnic groups. Having teamed up on the way toward the wellbeing of our common home Uzbekistan, they selflessly work in various fields and industries.

Uzbekistan creates all the conditions for learning the mother tongue, development of customs and traditions for the representatives of Korean ethnicity equally for representatives of other peoples. We are proud to rank among those who are actively involved in state and public activities, and receive high state awards. There are representatives of different nationalities in our ranks. This is the result of equal conditions created for all in Uzbekistan.

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