O’zbekiston Inson Huquqlari “Ezgulik” Jamiyati
Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan “Ezgulik”
31 May 2019
TO: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev
Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nigmatulla Yuldashev
Chairman Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nurdinjon Ismailov
Minister of Justice Ruslanbek Davletov
Ombudsman of Uzbekistan Ulugbek Muhammadiev
Director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov
To all media
FROM: Chairman of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik" Abdurahmon Tashanov
ON the WAY TO the REGISTRATION of POLITICAL PARTIES in UZBEKISTAN SERIOUZ OBSTACLES SHOULD be REMOVED
The strategy of action on the five priority directions of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 in the section "Priorities for improving state and public construction" emphasizes the development of political system, strengthening the role of political parties in the life of the state and society, creating a healthy competitive environment.
In this regard, the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan “Ezgulik” considers some of the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On political parties” incompatible with these goals.
In particular, paragraph 6 of Article 6 of this Law requires that 20,000 signatures are required to register political party.
However, to register a political party in Russia, such party must have 500 supporters, and in neighboring Kyrgyzstan only 10 people are sufficient.
It should be noted that in the first years of the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On political parties," this requirement was 3,000 signatures, then it was increased to 5,000, and then to 20,000. This, of course, is contrary to the democratic demands and claims made in Uzbekistan now.
It should be noted that Russian Federation, whose population is approximately 5 times more than ours, previously required the signatures of 40,000 citizens to register a political party. However, the demand of the Russian public during the rallies and demonstrations in 2013-2014, the number was reduced 80 times to 500 signatures, with support from the European Court of Human Rights.
Moreover, for several years the supporters of the Popular Movement “Birlik” Party had appealed to the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan “Ezgulik”, although more than 21,000 signatures were gathered and applied to the Justice Ministry in 2003, the party was still not registered, neither denied.
The results of the study and monitoring conducted by the activists of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik" show that the promotion of political rights in our country is at a critical stage. Your demands and proposals to our society and your desire to strengthen the image of the country in the international arena require a healthy environment, reflecting the democratic environment and strong civil position.
This means that the time has already come to remove the obstacle in the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On political parties” that the number of members and supporters of political parties should not be less than 20,000.
According to the law, the Ministry of Justice has the right to initiate legislation in the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Therefore, it is the Ministry of Justice who has to submit the proposal for Parliamentary approval, which is to minimize the number of signatures required to register a political party.
Undoubtedly, this proposal is fully supported by the public, the Government, the diplomatic corps, the international community and democratic institutions.
Sincerely yours,
Abdurahmon Tashanov
Chairman of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik"