Report of the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston”, distributed during the ninth plenary session of the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) (Warsaw, Poland, October 14, 2026). Session topic: “Tolerance and Non-discrimination II”, including: Rights of persons belonging to national minorities; Roma and Sinti issues.

Hasanboy Burhonov, “Erkin O’zbekiston” movement.

I am compelled to note a dangerous process unfolding in Central Asia. The foreign policy and economic influence of third countries is undermining the human rights commitments of OSCE participating States.

The most alarming example is the rapid Sinicization of Uzbekistan under the Mirziyoyev regime. Tashkent receives large-scale investments and digital surveillance technologies. In exchange, the regime imports authoritarian methods from Beijing to suppress civil society.

Today, there is a total state taboo in Uzbekistan on discussing the situation in China. It is forbidden to speak publicly about the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim population in Xinjiang. The Mirziyoyev regime has severely criminalized peaceful solidarity with the oppressed Uyghurs. Citizens of Uzbekistan face harsh persecution for any attempts to raise this issue.

The case of activist Valijon Kalonov has become a symbol of this repressive policy. He openly criticized China’s policy towards Uyghurs. He spoke out against the discrimination of Muslims. Kalonov demanded the release of his relatives who were trapped in China.

The response of the Uzbek authorities was ruthless. In December 2021, Kalonov was detained. He was forcibly placed in a psychiatric hospital. We are witnessing the return of the worst practices of Soviet punitive psychiatry. The regime is using medicine to isolate critics of Chinese influence.

On February 28, 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an official opinion. It recognized Kalonov’s deprivation of liberty as unlawful and discriminatory. The UN demanded his immediate release and compensation. Nevertheless, Valijon Kalonov remains in forced isolation to this day.

In this regard, we call on the OSCE ODIHR to issue the following recommendations addressed to the Government of Uzbekistan:

1. Immediately implement the opinion of the UN Working Group. Release Valijon Kalonov, drop all charges against him, and pay him compensation.

2. Cease the practice of punitive medicine. Prohibit the use of psychiatric institutions to suppress freedom of expression.

3. Ensure the right to freedom of expression. Protect citizens in accordance with the 1990 Copenhagen Commitments. People must be able to openly discuss transnational repression without fear of persecution within their own country.

Thank you for your attention!