After protests in Uzbekistan: “A proud people are offended”

After deaths in protests in Karakalpakstan, the part of the country is still cut off, says Uzbek journalist Darina Solod. She explains what is known about the situation – and whether the population believes the government’s concessions.

tagesschau.de: After the escalation of protests in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, there is talk of 18 dead, more than 240 injured and around 500 temporarily arrested. To what extent is it clear today what happened there?

Darina Solod: The number of people killed and injured – these are official figures issued by the government. However, the region is now on lockdown – you can’t enter without permission, people complain that they can’t leave without giving a reason either. Unfortunately, we cannot send journalists and photographers or documentary filmmakers there to understand how the situation in the region is now – what is happening in the capital Nukus or in other cities.

At the moment the situation is calmer than two days ago. But the internet does not work there, or only very weakly, which makes people’s work and life very difficult: the only way of contact is calls and SMS. Unfortunately, we are therefore not always able to verify information. The state of emergency applies – this means that citizens were recommended today not to leave the house without a reason. As far as I know, some of my colleagues tried to go to Karakalpakstan but didn’t get accreditation. They were put off until a later date.

tagesschau.de: The cause of the protests were plans for a constitutional reform: the new version of the text no longer mentions the sovereign status of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Why is this sovereignty so important to the residents of Karakalpakstan, which is only theoretical?

Solod: Nevertheless, Karakalpaks and Uzbeks are two different peoples. They became citizens of a state – but the Karakalpaks have their own rich culture, their own mentality and a strong sense of identity.

The Karakalpaks are very proud people: they differ from the ethnic Uzbeks in essence – and this pride is very important for them. Karakalpaks who migrated to Tashkent speak of fear that one day there will be nothing left of their people. And even if the sovereignty doesn’t mean much in fact, attempts have been made to take it away from them without even consulting them. There were no deliberations, no referendum either. It was presented in the state media as if some deputies of the regional parliament wanted to give up independence themselves, which greatly upset the population.

Although Karakalpakstan is part of Uzbekistan, the republic has its own state structures and not enough attempt is made to put this into perspective. There were fears that this sovereignty of the republic does not exist de jure – but in fact it is a reassurance that it will remain a separate part of the country.

“Mobile network providers speak of heat disturbances”

tagesschau.de: Your news portal “Hook” categorically speaks out against all attacks on the territorial integrity of Uzbekistan. But why do you think the government cut internet and mobile access on June 27 – almost a week before the protests?

Solod: Here we move more in the area of ​​theories than verifiable facts. About the 27.6. we don’t have any official information and we’re only finding out today what must have happened in the past few days. All we had before was testimonies from eyewitnesses – the members of the government did not comment at all. We found ourselves in a remarkable information vacuum.

As in other states where Internet access is cut during riots, we can probably say that there was concern among government officials that information they did not like would be leaked, but that too is speculation. So far there has been no connection, although the government says the situation in the region is under control and everything is fine there now. But the people there still cannot communicate normally. Apparently there was a fear that fake news could spread – although it always spreads anyway, whether the government wants it or not. So I cannot answer your question unequivocally because, as a citizen of populous Uzbekistan, I do not know the answer myself. Officially, the government rejects blocking the Internet – the mobile phone providers are talking about disruptions because it’s so hot at the moment. In Tashkent it’s just 40 degrees.

tagesschau.de: Uzbekistan’s President has since announced that he supports maintaining Karakalpakstan’s sovereignty. What do you think – will the population believe him?

Solod: As in every Central Asian country except Kyrgyzstan, trust in the president is very high – and not just on paper, but actually. Here, too, the masses trust their leader, the president – for many, he is the only one who can ensure order in the country. For many Uzbeks, the fact that he has now personally traveled to Karakalpakstan and promised not to erase sovereignty from the constitution means that there is still another reason to continue to honor and love the president.

As for the Karakalpaks, I’m not so sure. Those were three difficult days. So I’m not sure that trust in the President is as high as in the rest of Uzbekistan. Officially, people might not say that publicly because there is a great fear in our country, because the fear of being punished by the security apparatus is very great. But secretly, in the kitchens, between people, I don’t think there can be any talk of great trust. Maybe everything will return to the old when some time has passed.

“Borders are closed”

tagesschau.de: A state of emergency has been declared in Karakalpakstan for a month. What does that mean in concrete terms for the residents?

Solod: It is valid in Karakalpakstan, not in the whole country. This means people are not allowed to be outside after 9pm. They can move around the city between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. – although the authorities recommend not doing so without a good reason. This means that the sale of weapons is prohibited, the sale of certain medicines in pharmacies is restricted – the sale of hard alcohol is prohibited. The borders to the rest of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are closed. People cannot travel to the region without a reason. The police have the right to stop people on the street, check their documents and take them to the police station for identity checks.

tagesschau.de: In your view, what are the consequences of the escalation in Karakalpakstan? It seems that the Uzbek government now wants to appear as if nothing happened.

Solod: This impression may arise for some. Not that the government is pretending that nothing happened, but they are trying to downplay it – as if it weren’t as serious as it actually was. I don’t think there will be any further escalation now that it has been said: we will not introduce the change. Additional funds may flow to Karakalpakstan to enforce the curfew to address any problems that arise.

As for the relationship between the Karakalpaks and the government – and also with the ethnic Uzbeks – I don’t think this situation will pass without leaving a trace. It is, after all, a serious, uncomfortable conflict, and even in daily dealings we are confronted with signs of nationalism, signs of rejection and unwillingness to cooperate. It happens to be a proud people – and this proud people is currently offended.

The conversation was led by Jasper Steinlein, tagesschau.de