Senator objects to Russian version of draft law

On April 29, during the sixth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Senator Azamat Ziyo raised concerns during the discussion of the draft law “On Amendments and Addenda to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, stating that laws should be adopted solely in the state language—Uzbek.

Erkin Gadoev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Budget and Economic Reforms, delivered a report on the draft law. It was noted that amendments and additions were planned for both the Uzbek and Russian versions of the law. However, Senator Ziyo Azamat Hamid ugli objected, arguing that according to legislative procedures, laws should be adopted only in Uzbek, with translations into other languages permitted afterward.

In response, Erkin Gadoev explained that the original version of the law had been adopted in both languages. Senate Chairperson Tanzila Norbayeva supported this explanation and concluded the debate:

“The law was originally adopted in two languages. This is not a violation. While laws are now written in the state language, they used to be drafted in Russian and then translated into Uzbek. That is no longer the case—laws are now initially written in Uzbek. However, since this particular law was adopted in both languages, amendments must be made to both versions,” said Norbayeva.

Following the discussion, the draft law was approved by the senators.