On July 4th, 2022 18 people were killed and 243 others injured during the unrest that broke out on July 1^st in Nukus, the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan – an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan. Security forces have detained 516 people, but the national guard press office reported that many of them have now been released. The mass protest rose up after the announcement of proposed changes by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the constitution included curtailing Karakalpakstan autonomy on June 27th. As the intensity of the unrest has escalated, Mirziyoyev has declared a regional state of emergency until August 2nd.

Witnesses said that Police and soldiers shot smoke bombs, tear gas, and water cannons at the protesters, with demonstrators sustaining serious injuries. On social media, video footage showing a man who appeared to have been injured during a clash between protesters and security forces circulated. On Tuesday 5th, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for an urgent inquiry into the protest. The following day, the government of Uzbekistan denied the presence of illegal forces to control protest rallies. The Uzbekistan Foreign Ministry commented that “some mass media and rights organisations, with reference to unnamed sources, exaggerate various kinds of assumptions and unreliable reports about the events in the city of Nukus.”

International reaction to this incident was diverse. In a statement, the European Union immediately responded with calls for an independent investigation, stating that, “We deeply regret the casualties and loss of human life and continue to follow developments closely.” The United States was also concerned and called on authorities to, “pursue a full, credible and transparent investigation into the violence, consistent with international norms and best practices.” Russia, however, traditionally an ally of Uzbekistan, said that the event in Uzbekistan remains an “internal affair” and had no intervention plan.

Historically, protests have been a popular way of expressing supporting either for or against the government, high officials and their decisions. Sometimes, these result in constructive changes accomplished through non-violence and may even achieve the outcome wanted by protesters. However, if force or military power is used to suppress, this incites a counter-react, which might settle down immediately due to the fear of death and violence escalation, but is always cited as a reason to continue even after years or decades. Meanwhile, tensions are exposed and lead, in the worst of cases, to forms of racism or discrimination. Constitutional changes are indeed monumental, especially in a situation like that of relations between Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, where two different ethnic groups, Uzbeks and Krakalpaks, are implicated.

The new Uzbek constitution proposal removed the language that guaranteed Karakalpakstan’s autonomy and right to secede. The dissatisfaction peaked following Tashkent’s announcement to command a referendum for the renewal of the constitution, which ignored the sovereign status of Karakalpakstan and led to mass protests. Until 1936 when Karakalpakstan became part of Uzbekistan, it was an autonomous area in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Mirziyoyev also included the extension of the presidency from 5 to 7 years while allowing for three terms under the new constitution. He rose to power in 2016 after the death of a long-serving prime minister, Islam Karimov. He managed to serve consecutive terms last October, and the current Uzbekistan constitution only allows for re-election. If the new constitution passes through a referendum, Mirziyoyev will be allowed to carry on for two more terms, meaning 13 more years of rule, ranging from from 2016 to 2035.

Following the declaration of a state of emergency, internet access and roads to Karakalpakstan have been cut, with little news regarding the ongoing situation on the ground. There are concerns that this incident may spark racial tensions between Uzbeks and Krakalpaks to flare up.