Uzbekistan: At Least 18 Killed In Provincial Unrest

JUL 4 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

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Image credit: Reuters [via The Guardian]

The Facts

Uzbek authorities announced on Mon. that 18 people were killed and 516 detained during the unrest that broke out last week in the country's autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan over a planned constitutional reform.
RadioFreeEurope
On Sun., Uzbekistan's Pres. Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that there have been "fatalities" among civilians and law enforcement during "destructive actions" by rioters in Nukus, the regional capital.
Al Jazeera
Amid the large-scale protests, Mirziyoyev on Sat. dropped plans to curtail Karakalpakstan's autonomy from proposed constitutional reforms, which reportedly include strengthening civil liberties and extending presidential terms from five to seven years.
Daily Sabah
Meanwhile, a month-long regional state of emergency has been declared in the autonomous region, while the draft amendments to the Uzbek constitution are expected to go to referendum in the coming months.
VOA
The autonomous, largely desert republic of Karakalpakstan near the Aral Sea accounts for about 2M of Uzbekistan's 32M inhabitants. Like the Uzbeks, the Karakalpakstans are Turkic people, and linguistically and culturally also share close ties with Kazakhs.
BBC News

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

The conflict and reaction to the protests highlight the reality that Uzbekistan is still a tightly controlled state reminiscent of its time as part of the Soviet bloc. In clamping down hard on any form of dissent, this is a reminder that freedom of opinion still comes at a cost for the Uzbek people.

guardian

Pro-establishment narrative

The actions of Uzbek law enforcement have been entirely justified to prevent violations of public order and to suppress illegal demonstrations and acts of conflict by protest organizers. The president's decision to reverse decisions and alter changes to the constitution affecting Karakalpakstan shows an awareness of and care for public opinion.