Uzbekistan adopts law on recognizing rights over squatted land plots

TASHKENT. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a law On Recognition of Rights over Squatted Land Plots and Buildings and Facilities Built on Them, the presidential press service said.

"The law clearly establishes the main conditions for recognizing rights. For example, a land plot cannot be provided to other people or put up for auction; there have to be no disputes over land plots; there have to be no contradictions to the general plan," it said.

The press service said, citing tentative information, that there are currently more than 3.6 million land plots for which legal documents have not been made or are incomplete.

Under the law, rights are recognized gradually by the region. Data and documents on squatted land plots and buildings and facilities built on them are authorized via the automatic information system of the cadaster agency. This system also includes relevant information from 15 authorized organizations.

The fullness and legality of collected documents are verified by the regional justice department. Citizens who have received positive resolutions will be sent text messages, on the basis of which one-time payments are made. The amount of payment is two to five base calculation units (BCU; one BCU is now 340,000 som, the current rate is 12,615.97 som/$1) depending on the region of the country. People included in the Unified Social Security Register and those with disabilities have discounts.

"Bearing in mind that each of the more than 3.6 million land plots concerns on average 3-4 citizens or entrepreneurs, this law will solve the problems of more than 10 million people and will create a legal foundation for their future life," it said.

Mirziyoyev said in November 2023 that the issue needed to be resolved legally, the press service said. A bill was drafted on his orders that takes into account the positive experience of Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic and other countries.

The law will enter into force in three months. Prior to this, work for raising awareness and preparations will be conducted in the regions. The law will remain in effect until January 1, 2028.