Speech by Mr Burhanov, founder of the political opposition Movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” (Free Uzbekistan), at the 3rd Session of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference – 2024.

Thank you, Mr. Moderator,

Good morning, colleagues. It is an honor to introduce myself to you: I am Hasanboy Burhanov, founder and leader of the political opposition Movement “Erkin O’zbekiston.”

Amid Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, Uzbek state media have increasingly pushed narratives that frame Putin’s actions as a “sacred war” aimed at upholding universal values and protecting Muslims from the West’s corrupting influence.

A significant factor in spreading these Kremlin narratives in Uzbekistan is the “fifth column” of Moscow, which enjoys the direct support of Saida Mirziyaeva.

In February 2019, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications was established under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan. Later that year, in November, the Public Fund for the Support and Development of National Mass Media was formed. These entities, which now monopolize all official information channels, operate under the supervision of Saida Mirziyaeva, advisor to the President of Uzbekistan.

The Russian government strategically uses high-ranking Uzbek official Saida Mirziyaeva to pursue its long-term plans.

Meanwhile, Western-sponsored Uzbek radio stations—originally set up to counter Kremlin propaganda in the country—have turned into tools in the power struggles among Uzbekistan’s political factions. These stations, funded by American and British taxpayers, now abandon their core mission to legitimize figures of questionable integrity and outright provocateurs.

International grants allocated for the development of free media and to counter Kremlin propaganda in Uzbekistan are instead often directed to either “gongos” (government-organized non-governmental organizations) or directly to Moscow’s fifth column.

Esteemed colleagues, I address this especially to representatives of Eastern Europe and the Baltic states. Today, the Kremlin is actively working to revive a union within the borders of the former Soviet Union as they existed in 1991. Imagine what that could mean. Forces consolidated around the Kremlin, total of 200 million people, will fight against you. You have already endured Kremlin occupation and the oppression of the communist regime. This trend must be stopped.

I am urging a reevaluation of funding strategies for NGOs and media support. Let us strive to put an end to Kremlin propaganda in Central Asia and globally.

Thank you for your attention.