The supremacy of law in the state

The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state: it sets the principles of organising state power and of relations between person and state, and it is the basis for all other branches of law (civil, labour, criminal and others). It therefore has the highest legal force: laws, presidential decrees and resolutions, Cabinet resolutions and acts of ministries and local bodies may not contradict it, and where they conflict the act of higher force prevails. Law is a system of rules of behaviour that the state sets or recognises, that are binding on everyone and backed by state enforcement; unlike moral norms, breaking it has legal consequences (a fine, criminal punishment, compensation of harm and so on). In a state governed by law, law prevails, courts are independent, human rights and freedoms are guaranteed, state bodies themselves act within the law, and power is divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches. Under the present Constitution Uzbekistan is defined as a state governed by law. Law does not destroy human freedom but reconciles it with the rights of others: freedom is limited only where it would harm others.