Speech by Mr Burhanov, founder of the political opposition Movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” (Free Uzbekistan), at the 5th Session of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference – 2024.

Thank you, Madam Moderator,

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues. It is a pleasure to see you all. I am honored to introduce myself: Hasanboy Burhanov, founder and leader of the political opposition Movement “Erkin O’zbekiston.”

At yesterday’s Session, a member of the Uzbek delegation, presenting herself as a representative of civil society, mentioned my name without introducing herself.

Her name is Sayora Khodzhaeva, and she is seated right here among the GONGO representatives.

Ms. Khodzhaeva holds the rank of Colonel of Justice. She has worked in Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Justice, served as Deputy Governor of the Tashkent region, and was also a Deputy Chair of Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission.

Currently, Sayora Khodzhaeva is the Director of the Institute of Democracy and Human Rights of Uzbekistan. However, yesterday, she did not disclose her actual place of employment.

She is a fervent advocate of the “Russian world” in Uzbekistan. Yet this is the person who claims to represent Uzbekistan’s civil society.

Dear colleagues, I have repeatedly spoken about the Uzbek government’s use of repression, threats, and blackmail to silence the free voices of Uzbekistan.

Imagine the lengths they go to here, deceiving the international community, and the methods they use in Uzbekistan to stifle the voices of those who wish to build a free Uzbekistan and stand up for their rights.

In Uzbekistan, torture, threats, and even murder have become routine. The authorities, like other authoritarian states, exploit the achievements of democratic countries to suppress dissent. Sadly, the international community and democratic countries lack the tools to respond to authoritarian regimes.

I urge my colleagues and representatives of democratic nations to consider the implications when inviting so-called GONGO organizations to international events of this scale.

Unfortunately, today I am unable to deliver my prepared report because the Uzbek authorities have gone to great lengths to prevent it.

Thank you for your attention.