The constitution — The bedrock of Uzbekistan’s trust, stability, and future

8 December marks Constitution Day in the Republic of Uzbekistan – a date that holds a distinct place in the nation’s modern history. Adopted in 1992, the Constitution laid the foundational pillars of the country’s independence, the rule of law, and its democratic evolution. It set the trajectory for the emergence of a young sovereign state, defined the core principles of its governance, and charted the path toward building an open, peaceful, and humanistic society.

The Constitution emerged as the decisive document that established the normative framework for shaping a sovereign Uzbekistan. It enshrined the political, economic, and social model of the future state — a model rooted in democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the freedoms of the individual.

The adoption of the Constitution marked a pivotal step in the institutionalization of Uzbekistan’s independence, laying a solid legal foundation for all subsequent political and socio-economic reforms.

On 8 December 1992, the Constitution was formally adopted during a session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, thereby acquiring the status of the Fundamental Law of the newly independent state.

The dynamic evolution of society, the growing expectations of citizens, and the need to introduce modern democratic standards created the prerequisites for a profound renewal of the Constitution. The new stage of national development — widely referred to as the period of shaping the New Uzbekistan — called for a substantial expansion of political, social, and legal guarantees. It was within this context that a far-reaching constitutional reform was carried out in 2023, marking a genuine milestone in the country’s history.

The drafting of the new edition of the Constitution also unfolded through an extensive process of public consultation. More than 222,000 proposals were submitted by citizens — an unprecedented level of civic engagement. Specially established commissions and expert groups thoroughly reviewed these public initiatives, incorporating the most relevant and widely supported ideas into the updated text. This process became clear evidence that Uzbekistan’s Constitution is genuinely a people’s Constitution — a document shaped through the direct participation of society itself.

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The referendum held on 30 April 2023, in which millions of citizens took part, served as the ultimate confirmation of the people’s collective choice and will. A large-scale international observation mission—comprising representatives of major international organizations as well as national and foreign civil society institutions—ensured a high degree of transparency and legitimacy throughout the process. Following the vote, the new edition of the Constitution was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of participants and entered into force on 1 May 2023.

The updated Constitution represents a major stride toward the further democratization of the country. It enshrined fundamentally new approaches to governance and human rights, expanded social protections, and strengthened mechanisms for safeguarding individual freedoms. The number of articles increased from 128 to 155, the number of chapters from 26 to 27, and the total number of provisions from 275 to 434. In effect, more than 65 percent of the Constitution was renewed, underscoring the depth and scope of the reforms undertaken.