Government Khiva city

At the current stage of the Republic of Uzbekistan’s development, the transformation of state governance and the judicial-legal system has become the primary benchmark for the "human dignity" principle. The State Program approved for 2026 establishes concrete mechanisms to elevate the independence of the judiciary to a new level and ensure the rule of law within society. At the heart of these reforms are tasks focused on ensuring transparency in judicial proceedings and strengthening judicial oversight in the protection of human rights.

One of the most revolutionary innovations of the 2026 reforms is the introduction of a "jury of public representatives" to examine cases involving particularly grave crimes. According to the State Program, this system will be piloted in the city of Tashkent and the Tashkent region (with the exception of crimes against peace and security). This mechanism ensures public acceptance of judicial decisions and significantly enhances trust in the fairness of the judiciary.

Simultaneously, to strengthen the protection of human rights in criminal proceedings, the "Habeas Corpus" institution is being further expanded. Investigative judges are now granted independent powers not only to apply precautionary measures such as detention or house arrest but also to modify or revoke them. This serves to establish real and effective judicial control over the use of coercive measures during investigations.

To implement the principle of adversarial proceedings, the powers of defense attorneys are being qualitatively updated. Effective June 1, 2026, the procedure requires that when a criminal case is sent to court, a "defense opinion" must be submitted alongside the indictment.

Within the framework of new privileges granted to attorneys:

• The right to examine procedural documents and evidence involving their client at any time during the inquiry and preliminary investigation is now firmly established.

• The right to obtain information via an attorney's request, including from notarial and cadastral authorities free of charge, is being solidified. These changes will enable more than 7,000 attorneys operating in the country to reliably safeguard the rights of their clients.

Forming an intolerant stance toward corruption is one of the top priorities of the State Program. In 2026, a "map of corruption risks" will be created by sector and region, covering over 160 organizations and 208 districts and cities.

Within the framework of a new institutional system to curb corruption:

• In 32 key government bodies and organizations (such as the Ministries of Health, Education, Energy, and large joint-stock companies), the position of Deputy for Compliance and Internal Anti-Corruption Control will be introduced.

• A dedicated media portal will be launched, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to analyze 10,000–15,000 reports of corruption annually.

• To protect entrepreneurs, the "Clean Business" national program is being introduced, providing incentives to companies that operate without corruption.

In the realm of human rights, measures to combat violence against women and children are being significantly intensified. According to the 2026 program, a penalty of life imprisonment is envisioned for committing sexual crimes against individuals under the age of 14.

From a procedural standpoint, a significant change is that the authority to investigate such crimes against minors is being transferred entirely to the prosecution services. Furthermore, a cadre of specially trained investigators and judges will be formed to handle such cases. To protect children in the "digital space," a 24/7 monitoring platform will be created to counter cyberbullying and online harassment.

Regarding the enforcement of court decisions—the final outcome of justice—the goal is to reduce the human factor. By integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement (BCE), it is stipulated that 30% of enforcement actions will be carried out automatically (without human intervention).

Furthermore, based on the "Service State" principle, a system is being introduced to allow citizens to independently obtain over 40 types of documents without having to request them from the authorities. Notably, citizens will gain the ability to remotely monitor and close bank cards and SIM cards registered in their names via the Unified Interactive Public Services Portal (my.gov.uz).

To improve state legal policy, "smart regulation" models and artificial intelligence technologies are being introduced into the legislative drafting process. A strategically significant change is the transfer of the authority to approve external borrowing under state guarantees to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis. This elevates the parliament’s oversight function over the executive branch to a new level.

As part of the liberalization of legislation on administrative liability, a new version of the Code is being developed, which emphasizes the priority of preventing offenses over the application of punishment.

In conclusion, the judicial-legal reforms intended for 2026 represent a decisive step for Uzbekistan on the path toward building a state governed by the rule of law. The introduction of institutions such as the "jury of public representatives" and the expanded "Habeas Corpus," the strengthening of the advocacy system, and the digitalization of anti-corruption efforts serve as guarantees for establishing criteria of justice in society. The successful implementation of these reforms will not only protect human rights but also increase the country's investment attractiveness and prestige on the international stage.

M. Oblokulov, Judge at the Bagat Interdistrict Court for Civil Cases