The Commission for the study of events that occurred in Karakalpakstan on 1−2 July 2022 presented its report to both chambers of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) on 26 December, the Senate and Legislative Chamber press services said.
The commission was established by the parliament on 15 July 2022 to conduct an independent investigation into Nukus events. It was headed by ombudperson Feruza Eshmatova and included 14 members — deputies, senators, representatives of non-governmental organizations and the public.
“The commission analyzed the causes, chronology and consequences of the events in Karakalpakstan, assessed the actions of state bodies and law enforcement agencies in suppressing mass riots and monitored court proceedings concerning the participants of the events,” the statement said.
Ombudperson Feruza Eshmatova (left).
At the request of the commission, 30 defendants were released from the courtroom, monitoring visits to detention centers were conducted, as well as control was exercised over the socio-economic changes that occurred in Karakalpakstan after the events, the statement noted.
The commission assisted in resolving appeals from more than 600 citizens. During visits to more than 50 state and non-governmental organizations, interviews were held with 590 employees and 334 individuals, who had served prison sentences.
Of the 168 individuals arrested in the criminal case, 107 people (including 2 women) were returned to their families at the commission’s request.
The commission cooperated with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, other international organizations and maintained contact with international non-governmental organizations and the media.
According to the commission’s data, among the participants in the events, 943 people were warned for offenses committed, 6,135 people were subjected to administrative fines, 2,639 people received administrative arrests and 61 individuals were found guilty of criminal offenses.
The statement highlighted that as a result of the events on 1−2 July, 2022, some citizens and law enforcement officers suffered serious injuries and died. Besides, material damage was inflicted on civilian and state property amounting to 6.8 billion soums ($626,728 at the rate of July 2022).
“To suppress mass riots and prevent attempts to seize administrative buildings and strategic facilities, law enforcement agencies used tools employed in international practice, such as water cannons, colored spray technology and special tear gas grenades,” the commission reported.
According to the commission, during those events, 21 people died, including 2 law enforcement officers (same figures were announced soon after the events), and 413 people were injured (183 of them were law enforcement officers).
“The rights and legitimate interests of suspects, accused and defendants (access to a lawyer, medical assistance, phone calls, etc.) were fully ensured. Everyone was provided with the opportunity to appeal court decisions. It was noted that all judicial processes were open and transparent,” the press release said.
At the same time, 3 law enforcement officers were prosecuted for human rights violations during the dispersal of demonstrators (same figure was previously reported).
Nukus hokim (mayor) Abatbay Daniyarov (left) and members of the commission.
The commission published a series of recommendations for the state bodies of Uzbekistan:
- In the future, when making important decisions affecting the life of the state and society, comprehensive measures should be carried out during the public discussion stage to fully explain their essence and significance, as well as involve citizens in discussions;
- At all levels, state authorities, during the process of developing and making important political and administrative decisions, need to establish a system for timely and quality responses to potential cases of dissemination of unreliable, misleading, and biased information (disinformation);
- Regulatory documents governing the use by law enforcement agencies of special means and measures for dispersing violators during mass riots, should be improved, taking into account the experience of leading foreign countries;
- Citizens should be consistently explained the importance of respecting the rights of others and maintaining public order during their social activities;
- Effective preventive and explanatory measures should be taken to prevent negative actions by citizens that threaten public safety in places of mass gatherings and entertainment.
Following the commission’s report, a resolution by the chambers of the parliament was adopted, the statement said.
