Report by the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” at the Eighth Plenary Session of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the OSCE ODIHR (Warsaw, Poland, 13 October 2026). Session topic: “Fundamental Freedoms II”, including: Freedom of expression; Freedom of the media; Safety of journalists.
Those who are interested can read it. However, the speeches of the other speakers prompted me to comment on their remarks, which were certainly interesting. Therefore, without straying from the topic of our session, I would like to share my thoughts.
Over the past few years, many observers have concluded that authoritarianism has intensified around the world. This is a fact! However, we tend to forget that there is such a thing as cause and effect. Why has authoritarianism intensified? Because civic activism, journalism, and human rights advocacy have become monetized activities.
In other words, people have simply started making money from these activities. Funding comes from the European Union, UN programmes, and the United States… As a result, a certain group of people has emerged who simply make money from this work. In order not to lose their contacts or their grants, they fail to fully expose the problems that actually exist.
This applies first and foremost to journalists.
In particular, I would like to focus on the Uzbek Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. For a very long time, it has been an instrument in the hands of political figures within the Uzbek government. It publishes disinformation and lies. And yet, when we try to provide our own information, we are completely ignored.
Just the other day, they published false information claiming that Otabek Umarov had allegedly obtained citizenship of the United Arab Emirates. I hate Otabek Umarov. He is a bad person, and he should be in prison. But that does not mean I should publish false information.
But today, for a certain amount of money, not only the Uzbek Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, but also European media outlets can publish virtually any information.
So, when you accuse Donald Trump, look in the mirror. You will see the real culprit.
Discrediting Values: How the Commercialization of Civil Society Plays into the Hands of Dictatorships
Report by the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” at the Eighth Plenary Session of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the OSCE ODIHR (Warsaw, Poland, 13 October 2026). Session topic: “Fundamental Freedoms II”, including: Freedom of expression; Freedom of the media; Safety of journalists.
Dear colleagues, good morning!
Hasanboy Burhanov, “Erkin O’zbekiston” movement.
My statement has been submitted to the platform.
Those who are interested can read it. However, the speeches of the other speakers prompted me to comment on their remarks, which were certainly interesting. Therefore, without straying from the topic of our session, I would like to share my thoughts.
Over the past few years, many observers have concluded that authoritarianism has intensified around the world. This is a fact! However, we tend to forget that there is such a thing as cause and effect. Why has authoritarianism intensified? Because civic activism, journalism, and human rights advocacy have become monetized activities.
In other words, people have simply started making money from these activities. Funding comes from the European Union, UN programmes, and the United States… As a result, a certain group of people has emerged who simply make money from this work. In order not to lose their contacts or their grants, they fail to fully expose the problems that actually exist.
This applies first and foremost to journalists.
In particular, I would like to focus on the Uzbek Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. For a very long time, it has been an instrument in the hands of political figures within the Uzbek government. It publishes disinformation and lies. And yet, when we try to provide our own information, we are completely ignored.
Just the other day, they published false information claiming that Otabek Umarov had allegedly obtained citizenship of the United Arab Emirates. I hate Otabek Umarov. He is a bad person, and he should be in prison. But that does not mean I should publish false information.
But today, for a certain amount of money, not only the Uzbek Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, but also European media outlets can publish virtually any information.
So, when you accuse Donald Trump, look in the mirror. You will see the real culprit.
Thank you for your attention!
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