Lessons 1–2 · 2 lessons · G. M. Tansikbayeva, V. A. Kostetskiy. Konstitutsiyaviy huquq asoslari (Basics of constitutional law), Grade 9, general editor A. X. Saidov, revised and expanded 8th edition. “Sharq” publishing house, Tashkent, 2019
1
A journey into the world of the Constitution
Textbook: pp. 3–4
GoalUnderstand why we study the Constitution, its place in the life of Uzbekistan and how we will work in this course.
New words
constitution · Konstitutsiyafundamental law · Asosiy qonunlegal culture · huquqiy madaniyatreferendum · referendum
Explanation
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state: it sets out the rights of the person and the citizen and the structure and powers of the bodies of state power. The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted on 8 December 1992; a new edition was adopted by a nationwide referendum on 30 April 2023 and entered into force on 1 May 2023. The textbook was published in 2019, so in this course its information is compared with today’s Constitution. Legal culture is the unity of legal knowledge and moral qualities: knowing the law and also following it consciously. Studying the Constitution teaches you to tell permitted actions from forbidden ones and to defend your rights by lawful means.
Worked examples
If a decision of a city administration turns out to contradict the Constitution, it cannot stand: the Constitution has supreme legal force and other acts must conform to it.
A pupil who returns a library book on time and respects other people’s rights applies legal knowledge in practice – one form of legal culture.
Class activity
“Question wall”: each pupil writes one question about law (for example, “Who makes laws?”). The class sorts the questions by theme – rights, state bodies, courts – and marks them off during the year as they are answered.
Practice
1
When was the Constitution adopted and when did its current edition enter into force?
It was adopted on 8 December 1992; the new edition was adopted at the referendum of 30 April 2023 and entered into force on 1 May 2023.
2
What does a constitution set out? Name three things.
The rights of the person and citizen, the structure and powers of the bodies of state power, the foundations of the state system (also the electoral system and state symbols).
3
What should be done if a school director’s order contains a rule that restricts a right given by the Constitution?
Such a rule should not apply: the order must conform to the Constitution; a change can be demanded from a higher body or through a court.
4
Why is legal culture not limited to memorising laws?
Because it also includes moral qualities and the habit of following the law; someone who knowingly breaks it is not legally cultured.