Lessons 3 · 1 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
3
Practical lesson. Contents and description of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Textbook: pp. 12–17
GoalDescribe how the Constitution was adopted, its structure and main features; compare the 1992 and 2023 editions.
New words
preamble · Muqaddimapolitical pluralism · siyosiy plyuralizmchapter · bobarticle · modda
Explanation
The draft Constitution was prepared from 1990 and, after a three-month nationwide discussion, was adopted on 8 December 1992 at a session of the Supreme Council; that day is Constitution Day, a national holiday. The new edition adopted at the referendum of 30 April 2023 consists of a Preamble, 6 sections, 27 chapters and 155 articles (the 1992 text had 128 articles and 26 chapters). The Preamble is the introductory part: it states the aims and basic values, including respect for human rights, sovereignty, democracy and social justice, and recognition of the norms of international law. The Constitution declares the person, with life, freedom, honour and dignity, the highest value. It recognises political pluralism – a diversity of opinions and ideologies – and a multi-party system, and provides that no ideology may be established as a state ideology. Among the main novelties of the new edition: the state is defined as a social state, the President’s term is seven years, and the list of human rights is broader.
Worked examples
Reading the Constitution, it makes sense to read the Preamble first and then the sections: the introduction gives the aims, and the sections give concrete rules from human rights to state bodies.
When pupils with different views debate at school and it is not forbidden, it resembles diversity of opinion on a small scale; political pluralism in the Constitution expresses a similar idea at the level of the state.
Class activity
“Constitution map”: on a large diagram the class writes the section names and places one right or body they know under each (for example, “Oliy Majlis”, “right to property”).
Practice
1
When and by which body was the Constitution first adopted? How was the new edition adopted?
On 8 December 1992 at a session of the Supreme Council; the new edition was adopted at a nationwide referendum on 30 April 2023.
2
How many sections, chapters and articles does the new edition have?
A Preamble, 6 sections, 27 chapters and 155 articles.
3
What is political pluralism and what does it imply about a state ideology?
Recognition of a diversity of opinions, ideologies and parties; therefore no ideology may be established as the state ideology.
4
Why is it important that the Constitution declares the person the highest value?
Because it shows that all activity of state bodies must serve the protection of human rights and dignity.