Further strengthening of the role of the Oliy Majlis, political parties in deepening democratic reforms and modernization of the country are identified as priorities of the Strategy of Action.
In this regard, important tasks are to further expand the powers of the parliament in matters of domestic and foreign policy, strengthen parliamentary control over the activities of the executive branch and radically improve the quality of lawmaking.
These aspects were discussed during the international “round table” on the theme “Lawmaking and parliamentary control in the conditions democratization and modernization of The experience of Uzbekistan “with the participation of deputies of the Legislative Chamber, members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, foreign parliamentarians and experts, practitioners, officials of ministries and departments, representatives of public organizations, political parties.
The essence and content of the Strategy of Action, the significance and results of measures taken to improve lawmaking work, to enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary control in the conditions of modernization of the political system are disclosed at the round table.
“Today, Uzbekistan is going through a period of active reforms,” said Sarvar Otamuratov, deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. – This requires intensive and effective lawmaking, raising requirements for the quality of laws, mechanisms for its implementation. It is important to modernize the process itself the creation of a law, the procedure for developing its original concept, ensuring the full consideration of the opinions and interests of different social groups and strata, the ability of the future law to adapt to the existing legal system. The head of our state in the Address to the Parliament stressed: “We must all be well aware that the only source and the author of the law must be the people.” Undoubtedly, legislation should become an important and effective instrument of public administration. Timeliness, completeness and accuracy of legislative decisions are largely determining factors of economic development, political, social and spiritual development of the country.
In Uzbekistan, solid legislative foundations and organizational and institutional capacities are being formed to consistently enhance the role of parliament in state and public construction. Over ten laws have been adopted, which formed the legal basis for parliamentary activity. Among them are the laws “On Parliamentary Control”, “On Regulatory Acts” in the new wording, and others. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a meeting with members of parliament on July 12, 2017, stressed the need to transform the country’s parliament into a genuine school of democracy, the initiator and main implementer of reforms. Already in December 2017, in the first in the history of the country, the President of the Oliy Majlis singled out the most important and urgent tasks of the parliament, and opened a wide road for major changes in the socio-political life of the country. In order to prevent the adoption of “dead laws” that do not affect law enforcement practice and do not have enforcement mechanisms, the task is to develop and implement the Concept of Improving Lawmaking and Normo creativity. It should take into account that opinions and proposals on the draft law should come directly from citizens.
“Not only parliamentarians, but also scientists, representatives of international organizations, experts are involved in the development of the Concept for the improvement of lawmaking and norm-setting,” said Rahim Khakimov, director of the Institute of Problems of Legislation and Parliamentary Studies under the Oliy Majlis. – Project is posted for public discussion on the portal regulation.gov.uz. There are a number of problems that need to be addressed. This is the predominance of by-laws in the regulation of public relations, the outdatedness of legislative machinery, the inadequacy of introducing modern models, for example, “smart regulation”, principles, forms and methods of rulemaking, ICT. The study of international experience makes it possible to develop an effective model of normo creativity.
The “round table” was talking about the importance of broad discussion of bills at all stages of work, new forms and mechanisms of parliamentary control, the activation of political parties in the study of vital problems of society, further expansion of citizens’ participation, institutions of civil society in the process of lawmaking.
A comparative analysis of the best foreign practices, in particular, the experience of organizing parliamentary control in the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada and other countries, the place of political parties in the system of public administration.
“Our countries have been actively cooperating for 25 years, including in improving lawmaking,” says Japan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane. – Japanese experts participated in drafting the law “On Administrative Procedures” and the Code of Administrative Justice, adopted in January 2018. They will primarily promote the liberalization of the country’s economy and attract foreign investment. We intend to deepen our partnership further. The study of advanced foreign experience plays an important role in strengthening the position of the Uzbek parliament.
“The reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are becoming systematic and growing dynamics before our eyes,” says Thomas Kunze, the regional authorized representative of the Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia. – They cover all spheres of life of modern Uzbekistan: economy, social, political system and culture. Everyone understands that not only the development and prosperity of your country depends on the success of reforms in Uzbekistan, but also the stable and secure future of the whole region of Central Asia in general. We see that the leadership of Uzbekistan, in the framework of comprehensive reform of all spheres of public administration, pays special attention to enhancing the role and significance of parliament in the life of the country. The round table was a good platform for an active and creative discussion of important aspects of improving the legislative process and parliamentary control in the conditions of democratization and modernization of the political system in the country, taking into account its own practice and foreign experience. Our foundation is ready to support Uzbekistan in this direction.
The participants of the round table developed proposals and recommendations for further improvement of lawmaking activities and parliamentary contacts role in the country.
