Articles of the constitution related to Karakalpakstan will not be changed - Oliy Majlis

Articles 70, 71, 72, 74, and 75 of the updated constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan will remain unchanged.  The relevant decision was adopted unanimously today 4 July, at a meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament).

Jakhongir Shirinov, chairman of the Anti-corruption and Judicial Affairs committee under the Lower House of Parliament, proposed to leave articles 70, 71, 72, 74, and 75 of the constitution unchanged.

It was deemed necessary to take into account the proposals made by the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the meeting with the MPs of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and activists of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.  Regarding the suggestions and opinions received from the residents of Karakalpakstan in connection with the draft constitutional law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan" which is at the center of the public debate now.

Also at this meeting, a decision was made to extend the term of public discussion of the draft constitutional law “On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan” from 5 July to 15 July.

It should be recalled that on 1 July of the current year, in the city of Nukus of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, some citizens organized unexpected demonstrations, misinterpreting the constitutional reforms underway in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karakalpakstan regarded the situation as an attempt to seize the state administration in Nukus.

Following this, yesterday 2 July, the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Karakalpakstan and talked with the Karakalpaks.

In addition, taking into account that the discussion of the changes and additions to the constitution is still ongoing, and after studying the opinions and comments expressed by the people of Karakalpakstan, the president declared that articles 70, 71, 72, 74, and 75 in the current version of the constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan should remain unchanged.