December 8 – Constitution Day in Uzbekistan

nPosted on December 8, 2017

n

n

nOn this date in 1992, Uzbekistan adopted its constitution.

n

nEven though it’s been almost three decades since Uzbekistan declared independence from the U.S.S.R., the nation is only on its second president. That’s because the country’s first president – who was ruling the Soviet republic that existed before independence – ruled from 1989 until his death last year. There were a lot of reports of human rights abuses and electoral shenanigans under that president, and freedom of the press was very shaky.

n

nDare we hope that things are getting better?

n

nActually, things DO seem to be getting better!

n

nUzbekistan’s second president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has already ended some of the bad policies from his predecessor. For example, Mirziyoyev abolished cotton slavery – citizens being forced to leave their homes and regular jobs to pick cotton, in dangerous working conditions. He also abolished exit visas – citizens having to ask their nation permission to leave for even short vacations or visits. He also released a lot of political prisoners – people who were in prison just for disagreeing with the president or the government.

n

nKeep on with the good work, Mr. Mirziyoyev! Go, Uzbekistan!

n

nCheck out these wonderful sights in Uzbekistan:

n

nAs usual, water is a welcome sight – even (or especially?) in a doubly landlocked nation!

n

n

nThere is amazing architecture, especially in Muslim holy places. 

n

nThere are also ancient ruins, including Buddhist stupas. And I love me an olden-days walled city!

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

nAnd I ESPECIALLY love rock formations!

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

nSometimes it’s nice to just chill with some camels:

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

nAlso on this date:

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n
• nDecember holidays 

  n

n

• nDecember birthdays

  n

n

• nHistorical anniversaries in December

  n

n

n

n

n
• nJanuary holidays 

  n

n

• nJanuary birthdays 

  n

n

• nHistorical anniversaries in January

  n

n

n