Protests in Uzbek autonomous region over constitution reform plan

Uzbekistan is planning to carry a constitutional referendum that now not mentions Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty or proper to secession.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is pursuing broad constitutional reforms [File: Anvar Ilyasov/Reuters]

Uncommon public protests have damaged out in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan autonomous republic over a deliberate constitutional reform that might change its standing, Uzbek authorities say.

Karakalpakstan, that enjoys shut ties with Russia, occupies about two-fourths of western Uzbekistan. It's residence to Karakalpaks, a definite ethnic minority group that speaks one of many Turkic languages.

The present Uzbek structure describes it as a sovereign republic that has the correct to secede by holding a referendum.

Uzbekistan plans to carry a referendum within the coming months on a brand new model of the structure, which might now not point out Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty or proper to secession.

In line with Uzbekistan’s inside ministry, “on account of misunderstanding the constitutional reforms”, a bunch of Karakalpakstan residents marched by its capital Nukus and held a rally on the metropolis’s central market on Friday.

The federal government of Karakalpakstan mentioned in a press release that protesters had tried to take over authorities buildings, prompting police to intervene and detain their leaders and people who put up lively resistance.

Order was later restored within the province, which has a inhabitants of two million folks, the authorities in Uzbekistan mentioned.

Constitutional reforms

Modifications regarding Karakalpakstan are a part of broad constitutional reforms proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which additionally embrace strengthening civil rights and lengthening the presidential time period to seven years from 5.

If the referendum endorses the reform, it is going to reset Mirziyoyev’s time period rely and permit him to run for 2 extra phrases.

Mirziyoyev secured a second five-year time period in October with a sweeping 80.1 % of the vote.

Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev, the election fee’s chairman, mentioned the vote had adhered to democratic requirements. However observers from the Group for Safety and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mentioned that Mirziyoyev’s reform agenda had not but resulted in a genuinely pluralistic setting.

The 64-year-old confronted 4 contenders who have been loyal to his authorities.

“Whereas a number of candidates contested the election, there was no significant engagement with one another or with voters, and candidates kept away from difficult or criticising the incumbent,” the commentary mission mentioned in a press release.

It additionally famous “vital procedural irregularities” on election day, including that “essential safeguards have been typically disregarded throughout voting, counting and tabulation”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was the primary to congratulate Mirziyoyev on his re-election, calling him even earlier than Uzbek election officers introduced the preliminary outcomes.