Thank you Mr Chair,
The UK has a strong bilateral relationship with Uzbekistan - our recent MOU on economic cooperation and commitment to support the Government of Uzbekistan demonstrates this. As close friends, we are deeply concerned about recent events in Karakalpakstan and we were saddened to hear that people have tragically lost their lives.
We understand that mass unrest erupted in Karakalpakstan after plans to change its autonomous status within Uzbekistan were announced and that initially peaceful demonstrations turned violent, with casualties among civilians and law enforcement.
We are glad to hear that the situation appears to be returning to normal and call for calm and dialogue. We ask that the Government of Uzbekistan adhere to their OSCE commitments on human rights and due process as authorities seek to understand what happened.
We call on the Uzbek authorities to conduct an open and fully transparent investigation into these tragic events and we will continue to monitor developments closely. We remain concerned that a local journalist, who called for the independence of Karakalpakstan, was arrested, and whose whereabouts remains unknown.
We support efforts to involve citizens and civil society in political decision-making and respect the right to peaceful assembly and media freedom. Media plays an important role in ensuring reliable information is communicated and helps combat disinformation. Respect for all human rights is critical to peace and stability.
Thank you.
