The Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan has voted to maintain the status of Karakalpakstan as a sovereign republic within the country, and to extend the timeframe for public debates on draft constitutional amendments, RIA Novosti reported.

According to Articles 21 and 70-75 of the Constitution of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan is part of Uzbekistan, and the referendum on its independence from Uzbekistan can be held only with the consent of the Oliy Majlis.

However, the constitution of Karakalpakstan enshrines the right of the republic to withdraw from Uzbekistan.

Numerous residents of the capital of Karakalpakstan on Sunday staged a rally against the proposed amendments to the Uzbek constitution. They were angered by the amendments to Articles 70-75, according to which their region will lose its currently specified sovereignty and the right to leave Uzbekistan.

In the Oliy Majlis, they have proposed to extend until July 15 the timeframe for public debates on these draft constitutional amendments.