Unofficial translation
Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan
On introducing amendments and additions to the Law “On the state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan”
In order to improve the process of consistent implementation of the State language and to ensure the full transition to the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script, the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan resolves:
To introduce amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the State Language of the Republic of Uzbekistan” adopted on 21 October 1989 (Bulletin of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 1989, No. 26 — 28, Article 453), and to approve its new edition (attached).
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. KARIMOV
Tashkent,
December 21, 1995,
No. 167-I
Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan
On the State Language
(new edition)
Article 1.
The state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the Uzbek language.
Article 2.
The granting of the status of state language to the Uzbek language does not restrict the constitutional rights of the nationalities and ethnic groups living in the territory of the Republic to use their native languages.
Article 3.
The legal foundations for the use of the Uzbek language as the state language in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan are defined by this Law and other legislative acts.
Matters relating to the functioning of the language in the Republic of Karakalpakstan are regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
This Law does not regulate the use of languages in everyday life, private communication, or in the performance of religious practices and rituals.
Citizens have the right to choose the language of interethnic communication at their own discretion.
Article 4.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, conditions shall be created for all citizens to learn the state language, and respect for the languages of the nationalities and ethnic groups residing in its territory shall be ensured, as well as conditions for their development.
Teaching of the state language to citizens shall be carried out free of charge.
Article 5.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, preschool educational institutions operating in the state language shall be established, and in areas densely populated by national groups, institutions operating in their respective languages shall also be established.
Article 6.
Persons residing in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be granted the right to freely choose the language of instruction.
The Republic of Uzbekistan ensures general, vocational, secondary specialized, and higher education both in the state language and in other languages.
Article 7.
In spheres where the state language has officially applied, the current scientific rules and norms of the Uzbek literary language shall be observed.
The state ensures the enrichment and development of the Uzbek language, including through the introduction of universally recognized scientific, technical, and socio-political terms.
New scientifically grounded terms shall be introduced into the Uzbek language after public discussion and with the approval of the relevant committees of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis.
Article 8.
Legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as other acts of state authorities and administration, shall be adopted and published in the state language. Translations of these acts may also be published in other languages.
Acts of local authorities and administration shall be adopted and published in the state language. In areas densely populated by representatives of certain nationalities, acts of local authorities and administration shall be adopted and published both in the state language of the Republic and in the language of that nationality.
Article 9.
Work in state authorities and administration shall be conducted in the state language, with translation into other languages provided as necessary.
At international conferences held in Uzbekistan, the state language, as well as the languages chosen by the participants, shall be considered the working languages of the conference.
Article 10.
In enterprises, institutions, organizations, and public associations, official correspondence, accounting, statistics, and financial documentation shall be conducted in the state language, but in collectives where the majority of employees do not know Uzbek, such work may also be carried out in other languages alongside the state language.
Article 11.
Judicial proceedings shall be conducted in the state language or in the language of the majority of the local population. Persons involved in proceedings who do not know the language in which the proceedings are conducted shall be provided, through an interpreter, the right to become acquainted with case materials, to participate in court proceedings, and to speak in their native language in court.
In considering and resolving economic disputes between enterprises, organizations, and institutions, the state language shall be used. With the consent of the parties, economic disputes may also be considered in another language.
Article 12.
Notarial acts in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be carried out in the state language. At the request of citizens, the text of the executed document shall be provided by the notary or the person performing the notarial act in the Russian language or, where possible, in another acceptable language.
Article 13.
Documents recording civil status, as well as documents confirming an individualʼs identity and rights, shall be drawn up in the state language, with translations into other languages provided where necessary.
Article 14.
Individuals residing in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to apply to state bodies and institutions, as well as to public associations, with appeals, petitions, and complaints in the State language and in other languages.
Article 15.
Individuals residing in the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their nationality, shall have the right to write their first name, patronymic, and surname in accordance with national and historical traditions.
Article 16.
Television and radio broadcasts shall be conducted in the State language, as well as in other languages.
Article 17.
Publishing activities shall be carried out in the State language and taking into account demand, in other languages as well.
Article 18.
Postal and telegraph items shall be executed in the State language or, at the request of citizens, in another language.
Article 19.
The texts of seals, stamps, and official documents of institutions, organizations, and public associations shall be in the State language.
For international organizations and institutions, joint ventures located in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as national cultural societies and centers, translations of the texts of their seals, stamps, and official documents shall be duplicated in the State language.
Article 20.
Signs, announcements, tariffs, and other visual and oral information materials shall be issued and published in the State language, and may be translated into other languages.
Article 21.
Products manufactured by enterprises shall be provided with labels, instructions, and tags in the State language and in other languages.
Article 22.
The names of geographical objects shall be reflected in the State language.
Article 23.
The texts of international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be written in the State language and in the language of the contracting party (parties), unless otherwise provided in the treaty itself.
Article 24.
Disrespectful or hostile attitudes toward the State language or other languages shall be prohibited. Persons who obstruct the exercise of citizensʼ right to freely choose the language of communication, upbringing, and education shall be held liable in accordance with the law.