Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on September 1, 1991. Uzbekistan's transition to democracy began in 1989, catalyzed by the onset of ethnic violence and growing political opposition fostered by the Glasnost and Perestroika policies. In March 1990, the Supreme Soviet appointed Islam Karimov, chairman of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan, as president.

In 1992, Uzbekistan adopted a constitution that established the doctrine of the separation of powers, freedom...