SAINT PETERSBURG, December 10. /Dunyo IA/. Constitution Day of Uzbekistan was commemorated on a broad and dignified scale in Saint Petersburg, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

At the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS (IPA CIS), located in the Tauride Palace, a round-table discussion was convened to mark the 33rd anniversary of the adoption of Uzbekistan’s Constitution.

The event was jointly organized by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan, the International Institute for Monitoring Democratic Development of the IPA CIS, and “Development Strategy” Centre of Uzbekistan.

Opening the event, Consul General Abdurakhmon Makhmudzov underscored that Constitution Day, celebrated on 8 December, stands among Uzbekistan’s most significant national observances, as the Constitution defines the political, legal and social foundations of the country’s independence.

It was noted that the most far-reaching amendments to the nation’s Basic Law were introduced following the 30 April 2023 referendum, through which the document was renewed by 65 percent. The updated Constitution enshrines the principle of human dignity and the primacy of individual rights and freedoms. Special emphasis is placed on the protection of families, women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Ivan Mushket, Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat – Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD), Doctor of Law, informed participants about the international observation mission deployed during the 2023 constitutional referendum, in which a delegation of observers from the Assembly took part.

Observers from the Assembly gave a high assessment of the constitutional amendment process, noting that it was conducted in an exceptionally transparent manner.

Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of “Development Strategy” Centre of Uzbekistan, emphasized that the revised Constitution represents not a mere textual update, but a profound modernization of the entire legal system. He highlighted that the updated document expands human rights, including the right to the free development of the individual, establishes strict criteria for any restrictions on freedoms, and introduces practical mechanisms for access to justice - ranging from safeguards against arbitrary detention to the possibility of appealing to international judicial bodies.

Niyazi Niyazov, Head of the Department of International Relations in the Post-Soviet Space at the School of International Relations of St Petersburg State University, noted that Uzbekistan is steadily advancing the development of its education system, prioritizing openness and international integration.

Ekaterina Nadolskaya, Editor-in-Chief of “Russia News”, emphasized that the updated Constitution introduces for the first time the term “persons with disabilities” thereby formally recognizing this group and ensuring mandatory state protection. The country’s Basic Law guarantees this category of citizens the right to decent employment with fair wages, access to education, free medical care, and social benefits set no lower than the minimum living standard.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony honouring the winners of the essay competition, “Constitutional Values of Uzbekistan” organized by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan. More than 60 students, including citizens of Russia, took part in the competition, demonstrating strong analytical abilities and a broad understanding of the topic.

An informal discussion followed, during which participants exchanged views on both theoretical and practical aspects of applying constitutional norms in contemporary conditions.

In addition, to commemorate Uzbekistan’s Constitution Day, a new Uzbek Language Conversation Club was launched at the Uzbek Cultural Centre of the Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University. During the opening session, students from Uzbekistan introduced guests to basic Uzbek phrases and shared interesting facts about the country. Participants practiced simple dialogues, learning how to greet others and introduce themselves in Uzbek.

Uzbek students studying in St Petersburg also marked Constitution Day in a symbolic way, organizing a flash mob dedicated to the country’s Basic Law at the State Hermitage Museum.