LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Uzbekistan: Government
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Uzbekistan has no meaningful political opposition. Five compliant political parties hold all seats in the parliament, and independent political parties have been effectively suppressed since the early 1990s. Multiple independent and governmental media outlets (radio, TV, newspaper) exist. Self-censorship is the norm. Editors and journalists who have broached politically sensitive topics have routinely experienced repercussions, including loss of employment.
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Uzbekistan has a parliamentary system of government with an executive, legislative and judicial branch. The President, the most powerful government official, is now elected every seven years by popular vote (next election: January 2007), and the unicameral parliament (Oliy Majlis) holds elections for its 250 seats every five years. The next election will be held in December 2004 when, as a result of a January 2002 referendum, Parliament will become bicameral. The President appoints the Prime Minister, the cabinet and Supreme Court justices, who are then approved by the Parliament. The judiciary is not considered independent.
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Constitutionally, the Government of Uzbekistan provides for democracy. In reality, the executive holds a great deal of power and the legislature and judiciary has little power to shape laws. Under terms of a December 1995 referendum, Islom Karimov's first term was extended. Another national referendum was held January 27, 2002 to yet again extend Karimov's term. The referendum passed and Karimov's term was extended by act of the parliament to December 2007. Most international observers refused to participate in the process and did not recognize the results, dismissing them as not meeting basic standards.
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Uzbekistan experienced a wave of terrorist violence in 2004. In July 2004 there were three suicide bombings in Tashkent, including one outside the U.S. Embassy. The Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IJU ... used suicide bombers in multiple attacks focused on police and Uzbek private and commercial facilities in Tashkent and Bukhara in late March and early April 2004. In May 2005, armed militants stormed a prison in Andijon, released its prisoners, and then took control of the regional administration and other government buildings in Andijon Province. Fighting broke out between government forces and the militants, and reports indicated that several hundred civilians died in the ensuing violence.
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Although 88% of Uzbekistan's 24.7 million people are Muslim, religion and politics have been kept separate, preventing the type of violence seen in the Middle East. Good relations between Israel and Uzbekistan probably account for the real reason since the government is authoritarian and would crack down on any non-government sanctioned action against Jews. The real threats to power in Uzbekistan are by Muslim fundamentalists originating in neighboring Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Several terrorist attacks, in the form of car bombs, have rocked Tashkent in recent years.
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Governance in Uzbekistan remains autocratic. Corruption is endemic. According to the Government, gross domestic product (GDP) growth remains relatively unchanged at 4.4%; ... other key economic indicators are on a definite downward trend, and external debt grew by about $250 million in 2003. Uzbekistan is plagued by widespread underlying grievances, including unemployment, poor social infrastructure, weak educational and health facilities, and pervasive human rights abuses. Nearly one-third of Uzbeks live below the national poverty line. Fearing unrestricted trade, the Government is making it difficult, if not impossible, for citizens to cross borders.
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