Protests erupted after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced plans to amend the constitution to limit Karakalpacha’s freedom. The autonomous region currently has the right to hold independent referendums and secession. The planned amendment Karakalpacha loses this opportunity.
On Friday, police broke up a demonstration in which participants tried to break into government buildings in the regional capital, Nukus, local officials were quoted as saying by Reuters. They also said that the leaders of the protest were arrested.
Demonstrations continued on Saturday, according to limited reports from Karakalp, despite Mirziyoyev’s visit to the region and his announcement that he would withdraw from the constitutional amendment on the right to secession. People from other parts of the region are also expected to travel to Nukus to participate in the ongoing protests there.
A video purporting to be from Karakalbesi has surfaced on the internet, showing red liquid spilling across the street in several places. Commentators suggest it could be blood from a brutal crackdown on a demonstration or a special paint used to mark protesters. Video shared by Agnieszka Bikulicka, journalist covering Central Asia.
Another video shared on social media shows authorities blocking roads leading to Nukus with burning tires.
Footage from Friday shows protesters gathering in the regional capital.
The Uzbek government declared a state of emergency in Karakalpakstan on Saturday, which is expected to last until August 2.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev took power in 2016 after the death of Islam Karimov, the brutal dictator who ruled Uzbekistan for more than a quarter of a century. The new president has announced the introduction of reforms, which some analysts have previously indicated could ease authoritarian rule in Uzbekistan.
Located in the west of the country, Karakalpakstan is home to about 2 million people, 1/3 of which belong to the Karakalpak minority. The territory in the USSR was an autonomous republic, first within the territory of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic, and since 1936 – the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. The people of Karakalphasi were severely affected Aral Lake is drying up Now one of the poorest in the country.
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