Statement on Protests in the Karakalpakstan Autonomous Region in Uzbekistan
As delivered by Deputy Political Counselor Lewis Gitter
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 8, 2022
I would like to thank the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan for taking the initiative to inform the Permanent Council of the recent developments in your country.
My country has expressed its concern over the July 1 and 2 events in Karakalpakstan, which you described. We urge all parties to seek a peaceful resolution to these tensions and refrain from violence, and we urge due process protections for all those detained.
We express our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We also extend our sympathies to those who were injured.
We support Uzbekistan’s efforts to implement democratic reforms and encourage Uzbekistan to work closely with the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and other international partners to further these aims, including inviting ODIHR’s Needs Assessment Mission to observe the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform.
We call on the authorities to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, in line with Uzbekistan’s international obligations and commitments.
We urge authorities to pursue a full, credible, and transparent investigation into the violence.
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