Uzbekistan’s new constitution: More for Mirziyoyev, less for Karakalpakstan

The autonomous territory of Karakalpakstan is upset over a draft constitution because it feels that its rights have been violated.

There is an obvious winner and loser in the proposed constitution as Uzbekistan moves quickly to amend it.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is the winner, as one might expect. The Republic of Karakalpakstan, a formally independent region inside the nation, is the loser. On July 1, unusual demonstrations against the draft were gathering steam. 

All indications point to Mirziyoyev running for office again at the end of his current term. The proposed changes released earlier this week call for a return to seven-year presidential terms from five-year ones.

However, a sizable portion of western Uzbekistan, known as Karakalpakstan, would lose its constitutional right to organize a secession referendum as a result of the new fundamental legislation.

Tashkent would never consider such a notion in reality, as demonstrated by the country’s thirty years of independence. Additional alterations to the chapter on Karakalpakstan imply that the central government is tightening its hold on a region where the majority of the population is comprised of ethnic minorities.

Authorities will select a date for a vote on the proposed revisions this week, which are supposedly open for public comment until July 4.