[ad_1]
Uzbekistan has declared a state of emergency in Karakalpakstan after 18 people have been killed in protest of a constitutional amendment to Uzbekistan’s autonomy.
From July 1st to July 2nd, protests broke out in Nukus, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Kakarpaxtan, killing 18 people and injuring 243 people, including 38 law enforcement officers. AKIpress News Agency report..
The Uzbekistan Public Prosecutor’s Office said 516 protesters were detained and 12 vehicles were detained during protests and riots against the government’s proposed constitutional amendment to deprive the state of withdrawal rights.
Since then, the Uzbek government has declaration A state of emergency from July 3rd to August 2nd restricted vehicles from entering and exiting Karakalpakstan and banned peaceful rallies.
Following the turmoil, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkato Mirjiyoev visited Nukus on July 2 and announced that the proposed amendment would be withdrawn.
“The draft constitution introduced to get the public’s attention has not yet been adopted, but has only been submitted for public debate,” the president said. statement..
“I believe that not only the ethnic and cultural characteristics, national customs and values, but also the legal status of the Republic of Karakalpakstan need to remain unchanged. That is, Article 70, Article 70 of the Constitution. Articles 71, 72, 74, and 75 remain unchanged. “
Karakalpakstan officials have issued a comprehensive statement on the protests in Nukus caused by a “criminal group” trying to seize government buildings in Central Asian countries and destabilize the socio-political situation. ..
“The riot organizers hid behind populist slogans to manipulate public awareness and trust and did not comply with the legitimate demands of the authorities,” the Republic’s legislature said. statement..
An unspecified number of individuals who “actively resisted law enforcement” were detained and “will be held liable in accordance with applicable law.”
“Under these circumstances, certain unhealthy external force attempts from abroad that affect the development of the situation in Karakalpakstan have raised concerns through targeted disclosure and distortion of current affairs.” Stated.
The future of Karakalpakstan
Karakalpakstan was founded in 1932 as an autonomous republic under the rule of the Russian Soviet Union Socialist Republic and became part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936.
Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, after which Karakalpacstan decided to remain part of Uzbekistan for at least 20 years, subject to the right to withdraw by a referendum in 1993. I agreed.
The proposed constitutional amendment deprived Karakalpakstan of the right to withdraw and triggered a massive protest in Nukus on July 1. report The government blocked Internet access after the draft was announced last week.
Government troops used “stunning and smoke grenades” to disperse demonstrators gathered outside the Eurasianet’s Karakalpak legislative council, Jokargy Kenes. report, Quote the video received from the residents.
Uzbek officials reportedly detained journalist Lolagul Kallykhanova on July 1 over her currently deleted video urging Karakalpakstan to leave. The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded that the government explain why she was detained.
CPJ is concerned about happiness # Karakalpak Journalist Lolagul Kallykhanova, who was reportedly detained by Uzbek security forces during a large-scale protest in the Karakalpakstan Autonomous Region, called on Uzbek authorities to provide complete information on the charges against her. rice field.
— CPJ Europe and Central Asia (@CPJ_Eurasia) July 1, 2022
In 2005, a large-scale protest broke out in Andijan, Uzbekistan.There are hundreds of peaceful rebels Killed by government forces..
In January, anti-government protests in neighboring Kazakhstan approached a compulsory change until President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev subdued his efforts with military aid from Russia.
follow
Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.
[ad_2]