Language is one of the fundamental symbols of the existence and unity of every nation. The state establishes specific legal mechanisms to ensure the development and wider use of its state language.
1. Legislative acts are adopted in the Uzbek language
Citizens’ rights, freedoms, and obligations, as well as fees, charges, and taxes levied, are all established by normative legal acts. Therefore, the adoption of every normative legal act in the Uzbek language is one of the most important requirements.
In addition, other documents of state authorities and administrative bodies, including khokimiyats (orders, decisions, regulations, and others), must be adopted and published in the Uzbek language.
Translations of these documents may also be published in other languages.
2. Records management must be conducted in the Uzbek language in both state and private organizations
Legislation stipulates that records management, accounting, statistical, and financial documentation in enterprises, institutions, organizations, and public associations must be maintained in the Uzbek language.
This requirement applies not only to state enterprises, but to all organizations, including business entities and non-governmental non-profit organizations.
In collectives where the majority of employees do not know the Uzbek language, records management may be conducted in other languages alongside Uzbek.
Meetings, including sessions of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, must also be conducted in the Uzbek language.
3. Court proceedings are conducted in the Uzbek language
Judicial proceedings are conducted in the Uzbek language or in the language spoken by the majority of the population in the relevant locality.
Where persons involved in proceedings do not know the language of the proceedings, an interpreter shall be provided. Notarial acts and civil status registration documents are also formalized in the Uzbek language. Where necessary, such documents may also be issued in other languages (in translation).
4. All announcements and product texts must be in the Uzbek language
Signs, announcements, price lists, and other visual and oral information texts; labels, instructions, and packaging of products manufactured by enterprises; names of geographical objects; television and radio broadcasts; publishing activities; postal and telegraph dispatches; seals, stamps, and official documents of institutions, organizations, and public associations must be in the Uzbek language.
Where necessary, this information may also be provided in other languages.
5. Knowledge of the Uzbek language is mandatory for entry into the civil service
One of the mandatory conditions for entering the state civil service, including employment in ministries, agencies, committees, and other state bodies, is knowledge of the Uzbek language.
6. Advertisements must be provided in the Uzbek language
Advertising distributed within the territory of Uzbekistan must be in the Uzbek language. This requirement applies regardless of whether the advertised product is manufactured in Uzbekistan or abroad.
A translation of the advertising content into another language may be provided, provided that:
the translated text does not distort the main meaning of the Uzbek-language advertisement;
the translated text is placed horizontally below the Uzbek-language text and does not exceed 40 percent of the total advertising area;
the font size of the translated text is smaller than that of the Uzbek-language text.
7. Liability is established for disrespecting the state language
Under Article 42 of the Code of Administrative Liability, disrespect for the state language, that is, the Uzbek language, entails the imposition of a fine ranging from one to two times the Base Calculation Amount (BCA).
Note: Granting the Uzbek language the status of the state language does not restrict the constitutional rights of nations and ethnic groups residing in the territory of the Republic to use their native languages.
For more legal explanations, visit Hudud24.uz.
