Uzbekistan Not Stopped

While the events that started on Friday, July 1 in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, made a big impact all over the world, the situation is still tense despite the step back in the decision that caused the protests. The protests started because of the President of Uzbekistan Shevket Mirziyoyev’s plan to replace the right of secession of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan with a referendum.

Yesterday, in the statement made by the Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan, it was announced that 18 people lost their lives and 245 people, 38 of whom were security forces, were injured in the protests in the city of Nukus.

The authorities in the Karakalpakstan region stated that thousands of people are being treated in hospitals, while the regional health minister said that the hospitals in Nukus were full. It was emphasized that 516 people were detained in connection with the incidents.

Mirziyoyev is gone
Following the protests that started in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, President Mirziyoyev decided on a state of emergency (OHAL), which is planned to continue until August 2 in the region. In addition, Mirziyoyev, who came to the region, tried to persuade the Karakalpaks.

Mirziyoyev went to Nukus, where the demonstrations were continuing, met with the citizens and announced that the status of Karakalpakstan would not be changed. The Uzbek leader blamed “malicious forces” trying to destabilize the country. There are also concerns that the situation will turn into an ethnic conflict between the Uzbeks and the Karakalpaks, a minority speaking their own language.

On the other hand, in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “We are closely following the developments in the Republic of Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan. We attach great importance to the stability and prosperity of our strategic partner, friendly and brotherly Uzbekistan, with which we have common civilization, culture and historical ties. We have full confidence that the administration and people of Uzbekistan will resolve the incidents with common sense and in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Why did the events occur?

After the President of Uzbekistan, Şevket Mirziyoyev, added articles changing the autonomous status of Karakalpakstan to the referendum to extend his mandate, the fuse of events was ignited. Among them, it is stated that there is a clause that changes Karakalpakstan’s right to secede from Uzbekistan. Since the events are highly organized, the possibility of outside help in the protests is not ignored.

Who are the Karakalpaks?

Close to two million people live in Karakalpakstan, the majority of which is desert, near the dried-up Aral Sea, in the northwest of Uzbekistan. The Karakalpaks, who are of Turkish descent and a community specific to the region, are included in the Kipchak group. After fighting against the Russians for many years, the region came under the rule of this country, first to Kazakhstan, then again to Russia and the Soviets, and finally to Uzbekistan despite its declaration of independence. However, while connecting to Uzbekistan, the Karakalpaks were granted the right to declare independence.