Karakalpakstan’s Sovereignty in Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan
Diplomat
23-05-22 12:31
Uzbekistan has been accused of suppressing activists who support Karakalpakstan's right to greater autonomy from Uzbekistan. Karakalpakstan is an autonomous region located in the northwest of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan annexed Karakalpakstan from the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936. Uzbekistan is mainly made up of former Soviet republics and national groups, including the Karakalpak people. Karakalpakstan has a history of seeking political autonomy and independence. The conviction and sentencing in absentia of Karakalpak activists, including Aman Sagidullayev, is thought to be part of a crackdown on dissidents, dragging the tide of political discourse backwards since the death of Islam Karimov in 2016 and the rise of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In recent years, many Karakalpaks have fled the country, while others have been arrested and prevented from fleeing.