Today, the eighth session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the seventh convocation was held. Representatives of the relevant ministries and departments, as well as the media, were also invited to participate. The session considered and adopted a number of laws aimed at intensive socio-economic development of the Fatherland and developed in accordance with the priorities of the state policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. 

The adopted laws and regulations were developed as a result of preliminary discussions of the drafts in all committees of the national Parliament, as well as in the ministries and departments of the country. 

Among the first to be considered by parliamentarians was the draft Law of Turkmenistan «On the Court» (new edition). Speakers noted that the bill was prepared in order to implement the «Program for the Development of the Judicial System of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028» and modernise the domestic judicial system and legal proceedings, taking into account the introduction of international practice. It was also emphasised that in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the organisational and legal basis for the activities of courts exercising judicial power in Turkmenistan, the procedure for appointing and dismissing judges, as well as their powers are determined.

In connection with the improvement of judicial legislation in accordance with the requirements of the time, one of the most important tasks is the training of highly qualified specialists with unconventional thinking, broad outlook and the necessary professional skills. Based on this, the training of qualified specialists has been identified as one of the main areas of reforming the country's judicial system, since the effectiveness of the performance of responsible powers of judges largely depends on the level of qualification of employees.

The project also provides for the introduction of a new section «Family Judges». In order to increase the importance of justice in ensuring state protection of the family, motherhood, fatherhood and childhood, ensuring fair trial in family cases and judicial proceedings at a high professional level and strengthening the guarantees of family strength, it is envisaged to introduce the position of a family judge in etrap courts and courts of cities with etrap rights, to include «Judicial Collegiums for Family Cases» in the structure of the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan, velayat courts, courts of cities with velayat rights and of state significance within the total number of court judges.

The project also proposes to establish the conditions for the introduction of the position of a family judge, his duties and powers, the procedure for performing duties in his absence, requirements for the candidacy of a family judge, the procedure for forming the Presidium of the courts, increasing labor guarantees and social protection of judges and employees of judicial bodies, symbols of justice, financing the activities of the courts, rules for the use of income received from economic activity on lands provided in the established manner for running a personal subsidiary farm.

Next, the deputies considered the project Law of Turkmenistan» On accession to the Protocol of 1988 to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966». The international convention was adopted in London on the 5th of April in 1966 for the safety of ships and property at sea. The best way to achieve this goal was the signing of the Protocol to the Convention on the 11th of November in 1988 in London.

As noted, the parties to this Protocol undertake to send and deposit with the General-Secretary of the International Maritime Organisation the texts of laws, regulations, orders, rules and other documents that have been published on various issues covered by this Protocol.

According to the Law «On the Ombudsman», an annual speech of the Ombudsman to the deputies of the Mejlis is provided. In this regard, the Commissioner for Human Rights in Turkmenistan - Ombudsman Y. Gurbannazarova spoke at the meeting, who presented the deputies with relevant information. 

The deputies of the Mejlis also discussed the project law «On Amending the Law of Turkmenistan» On Establishing the Jubilee Medal of Turkmenistan «Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna». 

It is known that the jubilee medal was established with the aim of rewarding citizens of our country: for great merits in the successful implementation of large-scale programs for the development of the cultural system, in the study, careful preservation and popularisation of the priceless creative heritage of the great philosopher and classical poet of the East Magtymguly Fragi; for scientific research; for outstanding creative achievements in the field of science, education, culture, literature and art; for great merits in educating the younger generation in the spirit of respect for national values, historical heritage, traditions and customs of the Turkmen people; for special merits in developing cultural ties between Turkmenistan and the world's states and international organisations, in bringing cultures closer together and enriching them, and in strengthening friendship and cooperation between peoples.

This Law has been supplemented by regulating the rules for wearing the above-mentioned medal on the uniform of leaders and employees of the country's military and law enforcement agencies.

Next, the project Law of Turkmenistan «On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of Turkmenistan» was considered. In accordance with this draft law, the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan, the Arbitration Procedure Code of Turkmenistan, the Tax Code of Turkmenistan, the Criminal Procedure Code of Turkmenistan, the Labour Code of Turkmenistan, the Family Code of Turkmenistan, the Civil Procedure Code of Turkmenistan, as well as the Law of Turkmenistan «On Combating Human Trafficking» were improved taking into account modern requirements.

When discussing the project Law of Turkmenistan «On Amendments and Additions to the Law of Turkmenistan «On Administrative Procedures», the speakers noted that this Law establishes the legal framework, principles and procedural rules for the activities carried out by administrative bodies in connection with the adoption, execution or cancellation of administrative acts, and is aimed at ensuring compliance with human rights and freedoms and the rule of law.

This project law improves the principles of administrative procedure by regulating the withdrawal of an application by the applicant before it is considered, and also provides for the approval of rules for conducting business on the organisation of the reception, registration, consideration and storage of applications not related to administrative procedures, the preparation and adoption of regulatory legal acts, labour relations, the activities of bailiffs, as well as applications, the procedure for consideration of which is established by the legislation on administrative offenses, criminal, civil, arbitration procedural legislation.

In addition, national parliamentarians reviewed the draft law «On Amendments and Additions to the Law of Turkmenistan «On Automobile Transport», which establishes the legal, economic and organisational foundations for the functioning of automobile transport: safety, protection of human life and health, environmental protection; the rights of individuals and legal entities when using automobile transport services. According to the project, the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the «Türkmenawtoulaglary» Agency of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan are defined as the bodies implementing state regulation and management in the field of automobile transport.

The project Law of Turkmenistan «On Amendments and Additions to the Law of Turkmenistan «On Migration» was also discussed at the meeting. The Law of Turkmenistan «On Migration», in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, generally recognised norms of international law, regulates relations in the field of migration in Turkmenistan, and also defines the powers of state bodies of our country.

Among the national strategic priorities of the country are the active introduction of information technologies in various sectors of the economy, the creation of a secure IT infrastructure and an increase in the number of digital services. Thus, the migration service of Turkmenistan is creating and systematically improving information systems for recording, processing and storing information.

In this regard, the project law includes provisions related to the issuance by authorised state bodies of Turkmenistan to foreign citizens and stateless persons of an electronic visa issued in the information system and giving the right to enter Turkmenistan, stay on its territory and leave Turkmenistan, as well as transit through the territory of Turkmenistan. 

It was emphasised that the improvement of these regulatory legal acts is carried out in accordance with the Basic Law of Turkmenistan and is aimed at the successful implementation of the Program «Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State: National Program for Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052», as well as expanding legal opportunities for improving the activities of specialised areas.

In addition, a number of other issues were discussed.

The draft laws submitted for consideration at the next meeting of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the seventh convocation were unanimously approved and adopted.

The deputies of the national Parliament noted that the adopted documents, supplementing the current system of legislation of Turkmenistan, will provide a reliable platform for the progress and prosperity of the Fatherland in the long term, and will also play an important role in the further successful implementation of large-scale socio-economic and democratic reforms under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

At the end of the meeting, the deputies assured the President Arkadagly Hero Serdar and Hero-Arkadag that, guided by valuable advice and instructions on further strengthening the legislative framework of the state, improving national legislation in accordance with the requirements of the time, along with legislative activity, they will make every effort to explain the significance of the laws being adopted, as well as the glorious 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. 

They also expressed sincere gratitude to Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for the support provided to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan in improving the country's national legislation and the opportunities provided.