Reinforcing a Comprehensive Approach to Preventing and Countering Terrorism and VERLT in a Changing Landscape 20-21 April 2021 Vienna, Austria

Esteemed Colleagues,

There is no doubt that terrorism is a global problem, and it must be solved by joint efforts. The radicalization of society is the consequences of those actions that were committed against some group of people or against a state. While solving these problems, a cause and effect relationship should be taken into account.

For two centuries Russia has pursued an aggressive policy towards neighbouring states. The most brutal and inhuman crimes were committed against civilians of three Uzbek states: Kokand, Bukhara and Khiva khanates. Millions of innocent people died of hunger, millions of people were forced to leave their homes.

Russian propaganda tries to convince the international community that its southern neighbours joined the Soviet Union voluntarily. In reality, however, the national liberation struggle against the occupying forces continued until 1942. During the Soviet occupation the national elite, the clergy, intellectuals, the leading part of our society were annihilated.

It is worth noting that for many years Russia has been deliberately trying to increase the level of terrorist activity among Uzbek citizens, allegedly financed by Western countries.That is why the population of the region has developed a heightened perception of the Western world – as an unfair world of double standards.

The main reason for the radicalisation of Uzbeks and their joining terrorist organisations is the complete lack of opportunities to assert their rights through democratic institutions. To this day citizens of Uzbekistan are unable to participate in the social and political life of the country.

We are convinced that only an independent, secular and democratic opposition will help to prevent the radicalization of society in Uzbekistan.

I would like to highlight a few recommendations on behalf of “Erkin O’zbekiston” opposition movement:

A political and legal assessment must be given, at the international level, to the colonial crimes committed by the Russian occupation forces against the population of the three Uzbek states: the Kokand, Bukhara and Khiva Khanates;

The Russian Federation, as the legal successor to the USSR, should assume legal responsibility for all crimes committed against the peoples of Central Asia and return the looted national assets;

The United Nations, the European Union and other interested parties should mediate a dialogue between the government of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston”.

Only if these conditions are fulfilled will the deradicalisation of society in the Republic of Uzbekistan be possible.

Thank you for your attention, Hasanboy Burhanov – Founder of the political opposition movement Erkin O’zbekiston (Free Uzbekistan)