John Brady
Question:959. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s response to the recent situation in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40374/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (959)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, Karakalpakstan is a nominally autonomous republic in the northwesternmost region of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
On 27 June 2022, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan proposed amendments to the Uzbek constitution. Among other provisions, the amendments would remove a constitutional clause guaranteeing Karakalpakstan's right to seek full independence should citizens so choose in a referendum.
On 1 July, residents of Nukus, the regional capital of Karakalpakstan, began to protest on the streets, with protests also occurring in other regional towns. The protests appear to have been initially peaceful, but it has been reported that security forces later acted to break up the crowd and violent clashes broke out.
According to the government, 18 people died and 243 people were wounded.
On 2 July, President Mirziyoyev announced that the proposals on Karakalpakstan would not be included among the constitutional amendments. The government also announced a one-month state of emergency in the region.
I endorse the comments of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, who has raised concerns about serious violence, including killings, during the protests, and has called on the Uzbek authorities to immediately open a transparent and independent investigation into any allegations of criminal acts committed in that context, including violations by agents of the state.
I understand that on 6 July, President Mirziyoyev indicated that a commission appointed to investigate the unrest would include members of the public and independent activists.