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Uzbekistan 03/12/2007 Uzbek presidential hopeful says legal culture secures success of reforms

Speaking at the Uzbek TV’s question and answer programme Saylov - 2007 (Election - 2007) hosted by Madamin Safarov on 29 November, he said: "A law-governed state cannot be imagined without a legal culture of individuals... The civil society and law-governed state should serve for the benefit of a man. The success of reforms depends on the level of legal and political awareness of individuals. The main defender of human rights is the man himself. If he is aware of his rights, freedoms as well as responsibilities, he will do a good service in building a civil society... The success of the state and civil society depends on each of us."

Akmal Saidov described this year’s election as a special event in the history of Uzbekistan. "Firstly, it is a vivid example of how the democratic values and principles have been implemented in the country... Secondly, I think this election will not only demonstrate the democratic developments in Uzbekistan, but will also serve to increase the reputation of our country at the international level. Thirdly, I think that the voter in this year’s election radically differs from the voter in the previous election. We can say that our nation has revived from political dependency, political slumber, which is evidenced by the fact that our people have become more politically active and the level of their social and legal awareness has increased... Another important aspect of this election is that a candidate nominated directly by the people, i.e. by the initiative group of voters, participates in the election. I consider this as a practice which satisfies highest democratic standards set to elections across the world nowadays."

Asked whether it is appropriate to determine the future of the country by legal and theoretical aspects that prevail in his election manifesto, he said: "A policy built on a solid theoretical basis always gives good practical results... Speaking about my election platform, I would like to note that each candidate should have his own opinion and his views on the future of Uzbekistan. I also focused on three issues which are in my area of expertise. But this does not mean that these issues are completely new to us... In the 16 years of independence we have made great achievements in building democracy. At this stage, we need to further increase these achievements... I think not only a democratic law-governed state, but a humane law-governed statehood should be established in Uzbekistan which will be based on spirituality... The law-governed statehood being formed in Uzbekistan is distinguished by high spirituality, multiple nationality and priority of human rights. In my manifesto I ensure that these efforts are continued and further developed."

Saidov said that the core ideas of the three objectives outlined in this manifesto are to ensure human rights, to achieve freedom of the media, and to protect national interests of Uzbekistan. "Much work has been done in Uzbekistan during the years of independence with regard to human rights, including building a system of national human rights institutions. One of my specific proposals is to develop a national human rights monitoring system. What does this mean? Over 400 laws have been adopted in Uzbekistan during the years of independence... But to what extent these laws are being implemented, do we always achieve the aim of these laws? Alas, no. My proposal is to create a human rights monitoring system which will provide for absolute implementation of the laws."

Here he added that the major problem in this regard was to work out a mechanism for this purpose by developing the activities of human rights institutions and to demonstrate to the whole world that much work is being done in Uzbekistan in this field. "Uzbekistan is not, will not and must not be inferior to any country in the world in protecting human rights," he said.

Asked about judicial reforms envisaged in his platform, he said that the objective is to achieve real independence of the courts. "This includes high professional skills of the judges and officials of the judicial structures, and ensuring execution of decisions made by the courts...The laws should above all be observed by each citizen, each official, each government structure. If each individual observes the laws on his part, we will achieve our goals and make stronger steps towards establishing a law-governed state."

Akmal said went on to highlight the importance of administrative reforms: "Administrative reforms mainly concern the executive power... We need to optimize the executive system of the government and achieve its efficiency... The major aim of the administrative reform is to achieve a strong and efficient government."

Source: BBC Monitoring
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