Report by the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” at the Fourth Plenary Session of the OSCE ODIHR Warsaw Conference on the Human Dimension (Warsaw, Poland, 8 October 2026). Session topic: “Tolerance and Non-discrimination I”, including: Addressing racism, xenophobia and discrimination, anti-Semitism and intolerance and discrimination against Christians, Muslims and members of other religions.

Hasanboy Burhanov, “Erkin O’zbekiston” movement.

I am compelled to draw the attention of the Warsaw Conference participants to the disenfranchised situation of the residents of the social town in the Khodjeyli district of Karakalpakstan. People with disabilities have essentially become hostages to the management of this institution.

The director of the social settlement, Amangul Abidjamillova, using the support of local authorities, took out commercial loans in the names of more than 20 residents for her own purposes, using threats and blackmail, including threats of eviction. These loan payments are currently being deducted from the disability benefits of these individuals.

The case of 26-year-old Meyrambek Esemuratov is particularly tragic. According to the information we have received, the director systematically demanded that he take out a similar loan. Following yet another threat of eviction, on August 8, 2026, Meyrambek committed suicide.

We also receive constant reports of severe pressure on residents attempting to seek justice, including the forced institutionalization of dissidents into psychiatric facilities.

On July 24, two residents of the town, KLICHEVA ERKINAY and NARGIZA SERJANOVA, alongside their severely ill children in wheelchairs, hitchhiked all the way to Tashkent to appeal for assistance. Although capital officials received them, they were forcibly sent back home on that very same day.

Furthermore, on September 18, during President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Karakalpakstan, the police, according to the women, blocked their ability to travel to Nukus and effectively held them under house arrest until the President’s departure.

Currently, local authorities plan to fully liquidate and sell this social town in order to turn it into a commercial property, throwing these vulnerable residents out onto the street.

We are also deeply alarmed by the discriminatory statements made by the leadership of the Karakalpak regional Center for Social Services “Inson” who have publicly labeled people with disabilities as “idlers” and “dependents.”

Dear colleagues, this is not merely a social issue. This is a matter of basic human dignity, safety, and the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.

I call upon the OSCE ODIHR to include the Khodjeyli case in its final report and to demand that Tashkent ensure the protection of the victims.

Our demands to the delegation of Uzbekistan are as follows:

1. Conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Meyrambek Esemuratov and the alleged financial fraud, while temporarily suspending Amangul Abdizhamilova from her post pending the inquiry.

2. Annul all illegally processed loans and immediately halt all forms of pressure and harassment against the victims.

3. Bring to justice those responsible for the systemic discrimination against people with disabilities.

Thank you for your attention!