Dictatorship of President Karimov

Uzbekistan is an authoritarian state with limited civil rights. Uzbekistan is ruled by a highly centralized presidency, comprising the President, a small inner circle of advisers, and senior government officials. The Constitution provides for a presidential system with separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; however, in practice President Islam Karimov and the centralized executive branch, that serves him, dominate political life in Uzbekistan. President Karimov and executive branch retain control through sweeping decree powers, primary authority for drafting legislation, and control of virtually all government appointments, most aspects of the economy, and the security forces.

Human Rights Watch

Mr. Islam Karimov came to power as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989. The presidency was introduced in Uzbekistan in March 1990, when Supreme Council of Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic elected Mr. Islam Karimov to the newly created post.

In 1991, two months after the declaration of independence, the Law "On the Election of The President of Republic of Uzbekistan" was adopted, and on its basis, the first nation-wide presidential elections were held on December 29, 1991. Two candidates participated in those elections -- Mr. Islam Karimov of People Democratic Party of Uzbekistan ( NDPU) ( former Communist Party) and Mr. Muhammad Salikh (pen-name, real name is Salai Madaminov) of "Erk" Freedom Democratic Party. In the 1991 presidential elections Mr. Karimov was elected with 86% of the vote, while 12.3% voted for Mr. Muhammad Salikh.

EurasiaNet

The 1991 presidential elections were seriously marred and most observers considered the elections neither free nor fair.

In the March 1995 referendum, an implausible 99.6 percent of eligible voters approved the extension of President Islam Karimov's first presidential term for another 4 years until the year 2000.

Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan's 1992 constitution provided for presidential tenure limit of two five-year terms.

According to the 1992 Uzbekistan constitution, Mr. Karimov's all presidential terms should have ended in late 2001 the latest. Parliament subsequently voted to make the extension part of Mr. Karimov's first term, making him eligible to run for office again in 2000. Karimov was re-elected for a would-be final five-year term in 2000 against token opposition with 92.5 percent of the vote. The January 2000 Soviet-style presidential elections made a mockery of the democratic system. No genuine opposition political parties were registered, there was no opportunity to air views via mass media, and no possibility to exercise freedom of assembly or association.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) declined to send observers to those presidential elections after determining that the election environment allowed no possibility for a genuine contest, citing inadequate laws and regulations, direct government interference in the election process, and the absence of fundamental freedoms as among the obstacles. U.S. officials announced that the election 'was neither free no fair and offered Uzbekistan's voters no true choice.' The State Department also noted that Mr. Djalalov, the only candidate ostensibly running against President Karimov, announced that he himself had voted for the incumbent President Karimov.

The Uzbekistan government held another plebiscite in January 2002 to extend President Karimov's presidency for another two years to 2007 by amending Uzbekistan's 1992 constitution to allow for seven-year presidential term. Human Rights Watch

EurasiaNet

The Oliy Majlis (Parliament) consists almost entirely of officials appointed by the President and members of the parties that support the President. Despite constitutional provisions for an independent judiciary, the executive branch heavily influences the courts in both civil and criminal cases.

The 1995 parliamentary elections were limited to candidates and parties (the Peoples' Democratic Party and Adolat (Justice) Socialist-Democratic party) that supported President Karimov.

In 1995, most government officials were members of the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (PDP), formerly the Communist Party and still the country's largest party.

There are three other registered parties - "Adolat" (Justice) Socialist-Democratic party, "Milliy Tiklanish" (National Renaissance) and Fidokorlar (Self-sacrificers). These parties were created with government assistance and are loyal to President Karimov. All four parties participated in the 1999 parliamentary elections which did not represent a real choice for voters, since the parties and independent candidates were all affiliated with incumbent regime of President Karimov.

The OSCE and many international observers concluded that the 1999 legislative elections were neither free nor fair because the voters lacked a choice. Local and regional governors (Hokims), appointed by the President Karimov, exerted a strong influence on the selection of candidates and the conduct of campaigns. Nearly half (110 out of 250) of those elected to the Parliament (Oliy Majlis) were not from party lists but were either regional governors (Hokims) themselves or were nominated by the regional governors (Hokims) local assemblies. Only 16 out of 250 winning candidates had been nominated by citizens initiative groups. These candidates generally were allowed on the ballot only if regional governors (hokims) approved them.

Agence France-Presse reported that President Karimov said after the January 2000 presidential vote, "The OSCE focuses only on establishment of democracy, the protection of human rights and the freedom of the press. I am now questioning these values."

Human Rights Watch

The Parliament (Oliy Majlis) is constitutionally the highest government body. In practice, its main purpose is to confirm laws and other decisions drafted by the executive branch.

The Constitution provides citizens with the right to change their government; however, in practice citizens could not change their government through peaceful and democratic means. The Government severely restricted freedom of expression and repressed opposition groups and individuals. The office of the human rights ombudsman, which was formed in 1997, reports that it is assisting hundreds of citizens in redressing human rights abuses; however, most of these solved abuses appear minor.

Although the Constitution provides for an independent judicial authority, the judicial branch takes its direction from the executive branch and has little independence in practice. Power to remove judges for failure to fulfill their obligations rests with the President, except for Supreme Court judges, whose removal must also be confirmed by Parliament.

The Constitution provides for the right of freedom of association, but the Government limits the exercise of this right by refusing to register opposition political parties and movements opposed to the established order. The Constitution places broad limitations on the types of groups that may form and requires that all organizations be registered formally with the Government in accordance with procedures prescribed by law. Independent observers believe that the Government intends to make it more difficult to form and register parties. The process for government registration of NGO's and other public associations is also difficult and time consuming, with many opportunities for obstruction.

Broadcast: 3/10/2001
Reporter: Eric Campbell

ABC Online
FINAL STORY
SERIES 11
EPISODE 13

Synopsis:
From Tashkent, Eric Campbell reports on a regime that claims to be waging a war on Islamic terrorists but is more often waging war on its own people, many of whom simply wish to worship outside state controls. President Karimov, who was originally appointed by the Soviets and has managed to stay in power ever since, claims Uzbekistan is a democracy. But his only sanctioned "opponent" in recent elections was a close friend who voted for - you guessed it - his mate Karimov, and urged others to do the same. Meanwhile Karimov's army cracks down on those he calls Islamic militants. There have been some serious terrorist bombings, but Karimov has used these as an excuse for an all out war on anyone opposing him, even secular democratic opposition members. Now Uzbekistan has offered America the use of its military bases on the Afghan border to attack the Taliban. For many, though, Uzbekistan is the perfect example of the human rights abuses that can be committed in the name of a war on terrorism.