On 21 August of this year the Legislative chamber of Oliy Majlis held its regular meeting. At this meeting, deputies in the first reading adopted draft Law “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to further strengthening of guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of owners” (the “Draft Law”).
Legislative chamber’s press service reported that the Draft Law provides for prohibiting seizure of land by Khokims (Heads of local governments). Also the Draft Law aims to restrict Khokims’ powers to terminate the rights of ownership and use of land, as well as the lease of land.
In accordance with the Draft Law, local legislative bodies - Zhokargi Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Kengashs of people's deputies of regions and Tashkent city - obtain the powers to seize lands for state or public purposes, as well as for implementation of investment projects.
Moreover, the Draft Law prohibits governmental bodies to revise or cancel the results of denationalization of entities and property privatization.
Deputies stressed the need for adopting this Draft Law to protect the rights of owners from unjustified deprivation of their property rights.