Democracy in Uzbekistan

The monthly newsletter by 'Yuksalish' Movement, the Institute for Socio-Economic Initiatives,
and the International NGO 'Regional Dialogue'

       Newsletter #55                                                                                          November 5, 2024      

This publication is prepared with the support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
of the US Department of State. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the INL or the United States Government 

President of Uzbekistan Addresses the BRICS Summit

Nearly 75 Percent Voter Turnout in Uzbekistan's Elections

74.72% of registered voters took part in the October 27 elections for deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and kengashes of people's deputies.

This equates to 15,027,527 individuals out of a total population of over 19.9 million.

These data were presented by Central Election Commission Chairman Zainiddin Nizamkhodzhaev at a briefing in Tashkent.

A total of 140,388 citizens exercised their right to vote at polling stations situated outside the borders of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, in excess of one million individuals exercised their right to vote in advance, including 132,667 voters abroad between October 16 and 23.

Additionally, the CEC provided a summary of the results for the proportional system (party lists) and distributed mandates. In accordance with the Electoral Code, an electoral coefficient of 199,282 was calculated for the distribution of mandates. This figure was obtained by dividing the total number of votes cast (14,946,171) by the number of deputy seats (75).

As a result, the distribution of seats between the parties was as follows:

• The Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDep) won 26 seats,
• The Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party - 14 seats,
• People's Democratic Party - 13 seats,
• Adolat Social Democratic Party - 12 seats,
• Ecological Party - 10 seats.

Deputies Registered with the CEC of Uzbekistan

On October 31, the Central Election Commission held a meeting to register the deputies elected in the October 27 elections.

150 deputies were elected to the Legislative Chamber, 75 of them on party lists and 75 in single-mandate constituencies. The distribution of mandates among the parties according to the election results is as follows:

• The Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDep) - 64 seats,
• The Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party - 29 seats,
• The Adolat Social Democratic Party - 21st place,
• People's Democratic Party - 20 seats, 
• Ecological Party - 16 seats.

The CEC also summarized the results of the local Kengash elections, renewing their composition by 59.2%. Among the newly elected deputies, 32.6% are women, and the age structure shows a high percentage of young representatives: 4% under 30 years old and almost 40% between 30 and 45 years old.

Uzbek President Addresses Newly Elected Lawmakers

OSCE Noted Uzbekistan's Commitment to Continue Electoral Reforms

The OSCE Election Observation Mission to Uzbekistan presented the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections held on October 27 and positively assessed the aspirations of the country's Central Election Commission to further improve the electoral system.

On election day, 322 international observers from 33 countries, including 223 representatives from the Organization for Democracy and Human Rights (ODIHR) and 56 delegates from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, conducted assessments of voting throughout the country. In their report, the experts highlighted the provision of a level playing field for all five registered political parties, as well as the expansion of women's suffrage rights, for whom the quota was increased from 30% to 40%.

The observers noted several positive changes, including the mandatory registration of all complaints filed with the election commissions and the introduction of administrative liability for multiple voting. Additionally, they expressed appreciation for the debates organized by private TV channels and a news website.

Despite these developments, the OSCE identified several challenges. Nevertheless, the mission expressed support for the intentions of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan to continue reforms and implement the ODIHR recommendations.

CIS Mission Chief: Uzbekistan's Elections Were Open and Fair

The CIS observer mission monitoring the election of deputies in Uzbekistan noted the high level of organization of the electoral process.

The head of the mission, Sergei Lebedev, asserted that the elections were conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Uzbekistan. He further stated that the elections were open, competitive, and in compliance with international standards.

Lebedev underscored that Uzbek voters have exhibited a high level of political maturity, demonstrating an informed approach to candidate selection and a capacity to evaluate their actual capabilities in fulfilling election promises.

“The voter has become capable of evaluating the programs of candidates and is not susceptible to populist rhetoric, which ensures a prudent selection of legislators,” he stated.

The CIS mission comprised 167 observers from eight countries, including representatives of election commissions, deputies, and diplomats. They expressed high levels of appreciation for the quality of the electoral process and the caliber of training provided to members of the election commission.

SCO Says Uzbek Parliamentary Elections Held Openly and Transparently

The head of the observer mission from the cooperation organization Nurlan Yermekbayev noted that the elections were in accordance with the national electoral legislation.

The elections to the Legislative (lower house) of the Uzbek parliament were conducted in a transparent manner and in full compliance with the national legislation. This information was conveyed at a briefing by Nurlan Yermekbayev, the head of the observer mission from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), who also serves as the Deputy Secretary General of the SCO.

“It can be concluded that the elections were conducted in an open and transparent manner and in compliance with Uzbekistan's national electoral legislation,” he stated. 

New appointments

Rakhmatulla Nurimbetov New Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Sweden

First Ugandan Ambassador to Uzbekistan

Moses Kawaluko Kizige, Uganda's first Ambassador to Uzbekistan, arrived in Tashkent.

This information was conveyed by Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. He highlighted Uganda's exemplary stewardship of the Non-Aligned Movement and extended gratitude for Uzbekistan's endorsement of the country's forthcoming tenure as chair from 2027 to 2029.

Bakhtiyor Saidov emphasized that the initiation of political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries will establish a robust foundation for mutually advantageous collaboration, encompassing the enhancement of business relations, joint endeavors within international organizations and the exploitation of untapped potential for collective endeavors.

Oybek Shakhavdinov Appointed First Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Slovenia

Oybek Shakhavdinov has become the first Uzbek ambassador to Slovenia with residence in Budapest, the Uzbek Embassy in Hungary said.

Oybek Shakhavdinov handed over copies of his credentials to Natasha Prah, Head of the Diplomatic Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia. Prospects of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Slovenia were discussed during the meeting.

Uzbekistan's New Ambassador Begins Work in Kabul

Uzbekistan's new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Oybek Usmanov has arrived in the Afghan capital.

Prior to his appointment to Kabul, he was ambassador to Egypt and Pakistan and served as deputy foreign minister in 2011-2012. Usmanov speaks Pashto, Dari and English. He succeeds Yodgorhodja Shadmanov, who served as ambassador to Kabul from 2012 to 2024.

Dilshod Akhatov Appointed Simultaneously as Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Switzerland and Germany

Dilshod Akhatov, previously appointed Uzbekistan's ambassador to Germany in the fall of 2023, is now also Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Switzerland with residence in Berlin.

He presented his credentials to Swiss President Viola Amherd. Amherd underscored the Swiss government's backing for reforms in Uzbekistan and signaled a willingness to collaborate on matters pertaining to the development of mineral resources, the introduction of a "green" economy and energy, as well as in the domain of water and energy-saving technologies, the mitigation of climate change and environmental challenges.

Olimjon Abdullayev Deputy Foreign Minister

Olimjon Abdullayev has been appointed as Uzbekistan's new Deputy Foreign Minister, the Foreign Ministry's press service reported.

The appointment was approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Abdullayev has considerable experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having served as Consul General of Uzbekistan in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from 2021 to 2024.

Jakarta Welcomes Uzbekistan's New Ambassador

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan, Oybek Eshonov, has commenced his duties in the capital of Indonesia.

Previously, from 2008 to 2017, he served as Ambassador to Israel. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Head of the Department for Cooperation with South Asia, the Near East, the Middle East, and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

Oybek Eshonov is proficient in both Persian and English. He assumed the role previously held by Ulugbek Rozikulov, who headed the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Jakarta from 2018 to 2022 and is currently the Chairman of the Board of JSC Uzavtosanoat.

Civil Society Development Discussed at the International Initiatives Week

Senate Chairperson Discusses Uzbekistan's Achievements in Creative Economy with UN Secretary General

A delegation from Uzbekistan has participated in the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva.  

The meeting between the Chairperson of the Senate, Tanzila Narbayeva, and the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, Rebecca Greenspan, was a focal point of the event.

During the course of the conversation, Narbayeva placed considerable emphasis on the high level of organization of the IV World Conference on Creative Economy, which was held for the first time in Central Asia. She also took the opportunity to highlight Uzbekistan's significant achievements in the development of this sector, including the adoption of the relevant law.

The participants engaged in discourse pertaining to the prospective avenues for collaborative endeavors amongst countries on matters pertaining to innovation, technology and skills development, in collaboration with the UN Conference on Trade and Development. Additionally, the establishment of a global network of creative technoparks was contemplated, with the objective of reinforcing international cooperation and advancing the creative economy.

Corruption Risk Assessment Results

A public discussion was held in Tashkent on the findings of a study designed to evaluate the efficacy of recommendations aimed at mitigating the risks of corruption in elementary school admissions.

The objective of the meeting was to deliberate upon the findings of the monitoring of the implementation of recommendations proposed to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, based on a study conducted within the framework of the Anti-Corruption Lab project.

The project was implemented in 2021 by the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Yuksalish Movement and the international non-governmental organization Regional Dialogue. The project was designed to assess the corruption risks associated with children entering elementary school. The study identified a number of key corruption risk factors, including the lack of budgetary financing and transparency in its allocation, the lack of adequate infrastructure and qualified teaching staff, the low salaries of school personnel, the absence of a comprehensive system of integrity and ethics within educational institutions, and others. Based on these identified corruption risk factors, 10 main recommendations were developed, reflecting their primary importance. These recommendations encompass 29 measures, reflecting the priority importance of the identified corruption factors.

A public discussion was held in Tashkent on the potential corruption risks associated with the provision of state subsidies for mortgage housing.

The primary focus of the meeting was the identification of corruption risk factors and the formulation of solutions to enhance transparency and the efficiency of subsidy distribution. The participants emphasized that providing financial assistance to citizens through mortgage subsidies is a significant measure, but it requires rigorous monitoring and control to prevent any potential abuse. An open discussion allows for the identification of problematic aspects and the proposal of effective measures.

The Anti-Corruption Agency and the Yuksalish Movement employed a range of monitoring techniques, including interviews, normative analysis and a 'secrect buyer' method, to assess the provision of subsidies in a number of regions across Uzbekistan, including Samarkand, Jizzakh, Fergana, the Tashkent region and the capital city. The identified risks include a lack of awareness among citizens about subsidy rules, a non-transparent queuing system and social vulnerability assessments of applicants.

Recommendations for ministries to improve the process will be shared with the National Anti-Corruption Council and the Anti-Corruption Agency, and published on the website of the Yuksalish Movement.

Migration Agency Established

The President of Uzbekistan has abolished the Agency for External Labor Migration and established the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers in its place. The Migration Agency will assume responsibility for regulating external labor migration and safeguarding the rights of citizens employed abroad.

In accordance with the Presidential Decree, the Migration Agency is defined as an authorized body, which reports to both the Cabinet of Ministers and the Republican Commission on Migration.

Bekhzod Musaev, who previously occupied the position of director of the Agency for External Labor Migration, has been appointed to lead the newly established agency. The Migration Agency is responsible for regulating the departure of citizens for work, licensing private employment agencies, and collaborating with foreign organizations to safeguard the rights of migrant workers. Furthermore, the agency will implement professional and language training programs, as well as qualification assessment systems for workers abroad.

A Migration Fund was established on the basis of the Agency, with the objective of providing support to citizens who had suffered violence and discrimination abroad, as well as offering medical care and facilitating the return of deportees.

Procedure for the Payment of Compensation to Needy Families Established

The National Agency of Social Protection under the President of Uzbekistan has elucidated the procedure for the disbursement of compensation for gas and electricity for needy families.

As indicated by the agency, 1.4 million families are to receive compensation, with more than 370 billion soums allocated from the state budget for this purpose.

By the end of October, lists of needy families will be compiled by the Inson social service centers, the Association of Mahallas and local hokimiyats.

The compensations will be distributed on an annual basis with the objective of providing financial assistance to families during the period of increased utility costs, specifically from November to February. The primary list of beneficiaries includes 1.2 million families who are currently receiving child allowance or material assistance through the "Unified Register of Social Protection." An additional 180 thousand families will be included on a supplementary list.

A Competition Launched to Design the Gateway to Tashkent

The facilities are planned to be situated at the entrances to Tashkent, specifically in the areas of Rohat, Bektemir, Erkin and Uchkahramon posts. The design will combine elements of traditional and modern architecture.

The competition commenced on 31 October, and all interested parties, both from Uzbekistan and abroad, may apply until 7 November. Participants are permitted to form creative teams by inviting Uzbek specialists. The results of the competition will be announced on 30 November, and construction of the new gates is scheduled to begin later this year.

Contest Stages:

• October 31 is the start of the application process;
• November 7 is the closing date for applications;
• November 11 - announcement of finalists;
• Nov. 30 - announcement of the winner.

It is emphasized that the competition is being organized in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations.

Central Asia Becomes a Region of New Opportunities

Downsizing of Uzbek Ministries and Agencies

The President of Uzbekistan signed a decree to reduce the number of managerial and production staff of ministries by 2,845 people (5.2%) and employees of the apparatus of hokimiyats.

Consequently, the government of Uzbekistan has been reorganized to comprise 70 executive bodies, including 21 ministries, 14 committees, 26 agencies, and 9 inspectorates.

The decree is intended to optimize the structure of state administration and establish an efficient management system within the context of ongoing administrative reforms. The total number of personnel employed by the 70 state bodies is limited to 53,560 individuals. The reduction in personnel has also affected budgetary and extra-budgetary funds, with the objective of enhancing the efficiency of the state apparatus.

New Version of the Law on Ombudsman Adopted

Success stories of NGOs in Uzbekistan

TechWomen Won by a Team from Uzbekistan

 Social Support for Youth with Disabilities

The conference hall of the Association of People with Disabilities of Uzbekistan hosted a round table on Social Support in Uzbekistan: Present and Prospects.

A discussion was held between representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations regarding the current achievements and challenges in social support for youth in need.

Since April 2023, the Yuksalish Movement, the Umidvorlik Center, and Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI) have been implementing a project, with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to expand social and economic opportunities for young people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 35.

As part of the project, a social center was established in Tashkent, offering a range of services including psychological, legal, and social support, as well as IT and business training. Additionally, a helpline was established to provide expedient assistance to young people.

How Handicrafts Have Empowered Women in Kashkadarya

NGOs' Role in Achieving SDGs

Supporting Gender-oriented Journalism in Uzbekistan

The European Union launched a project in Uzbekistan aimed at developing the media skills of journalists and bloggers for constructive gender reporting and combating gender misinformation.

NGOs will be awarded grants of up to 4,000 euros to develop their own media content that reflects their positions on pertinent public issues.

The EU-funded project, entitled EU-Tabassum, The initiative, entitled Media Skills to Promote Gender Equality and Empower Young Women, was inaugurated in Tashkent. The project, which has a budget of 500,000 euros, is being implemented by DW Akademie from Germany and the Center for the Development of Contemporary Journalism (CDCJ) in Uzbekistan with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The project's objective is twofold: firstly, to enhance the abilities of journalists and bloggers in the domain of gender-constructive reporting; secondly, to reinforce the capacity of women's and youth associations to effectively advocate for equality and challenge prevailing gender stereotypes. As stated by the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, the initiative is aligned with the efforts of the country's women to achieve equal rights and opportunities.

Contributing team:
"Yuksalish" Movement team

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