Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Uzbek Politician Calls for Ban on Soviet Symbols

Alisher Qodirov, the deputy speaker of the legislative chamber of Uzbekistan's Parliament (Oliy Majlis) and leader of the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Party, has proposed an initiative to ban the promotion of Soviet ideology and symbols in the country. The idea emerged after the high-profile case of a Samarkand pensioner who expressed a desire to restore the Soviet Union, for which he was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom under an article on encroachment on Uzbekistan's constitutional order. Qodirov supported the court's decision, noting that he considered Soviet ideology harmful and hostile to national values. In his statement, he emphasized that the Soviet regime had harmed not only Uzbekistan but the whole world, undermining the cultural and spiritual foundations of the people. He recalled the discrimination suffered by the Uzbek people during the Soviet period and emphasized the need to analyze this period. He stands firmly against its justification and promotion. “The Uzbek people were discriminated against and humiliated by the Soviet authorities and are still healing the wounds of the past. The Soviet ideology, which rejected nations, values, and faith, harmed not only our people but also the entire humanity, and these phenomena continue to be a misfortune,” Qodirov said. The politician also called the promotion of Soviet ideas a crime against the constitutional order and a betrayal of the people and ancestors who were victims of the regime. Qodirov has repeatedly spoken out against symbols relating to the USSR. In May 2021, he called the raising of the red flag at a concert in Tashkent a provocation and an insult to the people, explaining that the symbol of the Soviet occupier state was soaked in the blood of Uzbek intellectuals who had been repressed by the regime.

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In Uzbekistan, 74-Year-Old Pensioner Convicted of Agitating for Return of USSR

Ergashkul Khasanov, a 74-year-old resident of Samarkand, was convicted of conducting propaganda aimed at the restoration of the USSR. Hasanov was actively engaged in disseminating material through the Telegram group, Uzbek SSR/USSR, in which he claimed the collapse of the Soviet Union was illegal and temporary and that the independence of the former republics, including Uzbekistan, was informal and temporary. The court found him guilty of encroaching on Uzbekistan's constitutional order. Khasanov's story dates back to 2021, when he began listening to speeches by Russian citizen, Oleg Turishkin, who argued that the collapse of the USSR was both illegal and unjust. Turishkin suggested that Khasanov register as a Citizen of the USSR, and the Uzbek pensioner duly obtained a certificate of Soviet citizenship through the post office. He subsequently joined a Telegram group where he participated in discussions and published materials arguing that the Soviet Union had not legally been dissolved and that the former Union republics should reunite again. In early 2023, Khasanov traveled to Moscow, where he met with activists who advocated the restoration of the Soviet Union and a return to the constitution and laws from Joseph Stalin's time. They argued that the Union “legally” continued to exist, and prepared for its restoration. After visiting Moscow, Khasanov continued to publish materials claiming that Uzbekistan's independence was superficial and that all former republics should return to the fold of the USSR. In his case, the court considered Khasanov's age, lack of previous convictions, and status as a pensioner. As a result, he was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom. Khasanov is forbidden from leaving his apartment from 22:00 to 6:00, changing his place of residence without the permission of the supervisory authority, and from leaving the Samarkand region. In 2022, the public movement, Citizens of the USSR was included in a list of organizations deemed by the authorities in Russia to be extremist. Believing that the Soviet Union still exists, some supporters of the movement refuse to abide by the laws of modern Russia, obey the current authorities, or use Russian passports.

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Empowering Central Asia: A Unified Approach to Poverty Alleviation

Many developing nations have prioritised the eradication of poverty. They employing various strategies, such as pursuing higher economic growth and more equitable income distribution. These efforts have yielded mixed results, underscoring the importance of caution and awareness of the challenges involved. East Asian countries have made significant strides in eliminating poverty. China has made significant progress, and India has seen more moderate headway. Latin American nations have faced difficulties in reducing poverty due to sluggish economic growth, and unfortunately, poverty has risen in Africa. Extreme poverty has historically not been an issue in Central Asia, because of various support schemes provided by the former Soviet government. Nevertheless, while Central Asia's poverty rates continue to decline, poverty reduction is slowing in some countries. Interestingly, Uzbekistan has made notable progress in reducing poverty since 2021. The poverty headcount rate based on the national poverty line fell from 17.0 per cent in 2021 to 14.1 per cent in 2022 and further declined to 11.0 per cent in 2023. Robust real wage growth was the main driver of the recent poverty reduction. Between 2022 and 2023, increases in wage income accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total poverty reduction. However, wage growth was much higher among skilled workers, especially in urban areas, due to skills shortages in the labour market. The latest official statistics show that the average wage increased the most in the services sectors, with a higher share of high-skilled workers in telecoms, pharmaceuticals, and IT. Consequently, income growth favored the better-off skilled population. Such wage inequality leads to income inequality, measured by the Gini index, increasing from 31.2 in 2022 to 34.5 in 2023. It is also noted that the socio-economic conditions are better in all Central Asian economies than in other developing economies. In Central Asia, poverty reduction has been influenced by several factors, such as implementing a national welfare standard, improved access to quality education, and financial assistance for elderly individuals and households led by single mothers. For example, in Uzbekistan, introducing a national welfare standard in 2021 significantly reduced poverty. The poverty rate decreased from 17 to 11 per cent by 2023, with a more noticeable decline in rural areas (8 percentage points) compared to urban areas (4 percentage points), resulting in approximately 1.6 million individuals being lifted out of poverty. The government's initiatives suggest it is making progress towards halving poverty between 2021 and 2026, indicating a hopeful future for poverty reduction in the region. Notably, the World Bank has recalculated poverty estimates in Central Asia using updated international poverty lines. For lower-middle-income countries -- which globally include Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan -- the poverty line is set at US$3.65 per day. In contrast, it is $6.85 daily for upper-middle-income countries like Kazakhstan. According to these new poverty lines, approximately five million people are considered poor using the lower-middle income country threshold, and 20 million people are considered poor using the upper-middle income country threshold. These updated poverty lines account for differences in living costs between countries....

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Uzbekistan Joins ICCROM as 138th Member for Cultural Heritage Preservation

Uzbekistan has become the 138th member state of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), an intergovernmental organization that serves its member states by promoting the conservation of all forms of cultural heritage, the institution's website has reported. “Uzbekistan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historical centers of Bukhara and Shakhrishabz, renowned for their exceptional Timurid monuments; the unique urban compositions of Itchan Kala in the inner fortress of Khiva; and the historic city of Samarkand," the report from ICCROM states. "The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor of the Silk Roads and the Cold Winter Deserts of Turan, both transnational sites, illustrate Uzbekistan’s strategic role in ancient trade routes and showcase a diverse and resilient natural landscape across Central Asia. Additionally, Uzbekistan’s intangible heritage, expressed through traditional knowledge, crafts, and ways of life, further illustrates its invaluable historical contributions." “Uzbekistan’s membership will not only strengthen relationships with institutions in Uzbekistan, but will also allow us to have a greater impact on the ground in the whole of Central Asia,” ICCROM’s Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, stated. “Together, we can ensure that Uzbekistan’s invaluable heritage is maintained and celebrated, propelling longer-term sustainability for our people, communities, and planet. Investing in capacity building is the most effective way to conserve our heritage today while ensuring an enduring legacy for future generations. Engaging youth in cultural conservation, preservation, and celebration ensures the transmission of knowledge and inspires creative approaches to conservation linked to sustainable development,” Gujral emphasized.

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The Steppe Blooms in the Hands of a Woman – British Publisher Focuses on Jizzakh

Jizzakh, a region which is historically significant yet little known outside the borders of Uzbekistan, is now stepping into the international spotlight with a special issue of OCA Magazine launched in London. This edition, OCA Magazine: Jizzakh, weaves together a tapestry of narratives from writers spanning continents from Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom and the United States, France, India, Bulgaria, and Finland. These contributors dive deep into the heritage, history, economics, culture, and cuisine of Jizzakh, painting a vibrant picture of a region with a rich strategic importance and cultural legacy. Renowned as the birthplace of Uzbekistan's leaders Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Sharaf Rashidov, Jizzakh holds a special place in the nation’s heart. It is also home to an array of notable figures who have made substantial contributions to regional and national development, ranging from the founders of dynasties to contemporary athletes and scientists. This special issue seeks to illuminate these stories, with feature articles such as one on Maria Shevel (Akhmedjanova), a winner of the Heroine of Labor award whose architectural influence has shaped the visage of Jizzakh, and the iconic sanatorium in the Zaamin National Reserve. As Uzbekistan continues its rapid development under President Mirziyoyev, global curiosity about this vibrant country continues to grow. The magazine not only looks into the region’s history, but looks ahead, exploring Jizzakh's potential as an economic powerhouse. Articles discuss such projects as nuclear energy development and advancements in education, showcasing Jizzakh as a region poised for growth.

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Uzbekistan Leads the Field in Central Asia’s Medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics

To date, Uzbekistan ranks 9th out of 169 countries in medals gained at the Paris 024 Paralympic Games, with five gold, three silver, and three bronze. Placed 13th at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with 13 medals, Uzbekistan continues to show robust performances in the Paralympic Games. Highlights include Asila Mirzayorova’s gold in the long jump - a paralympic record of 5.22 meters - and Yorqinbek Odilov’s gold in the men’s javelin throw. Uzbek athletes Elbek Sultanov and Qudratillokhan Marufkhojayev, flourished in the men’s shot put, winning the gold medal; Kubaro Hakimova won the silver medal, and Talibboy Yoldoshev won the bronze. In Paralympic Taekwondo, 22-year-old Asadbek Toshtemirov won gold in the under 80 kg category, while Ziyodakhon Isakova (47 kg) and Guljonoy Naimova (65 kg) took silver. Mokhigul Khamdamova added to the medal tally with a bronze in the women’s discus throw, and Muslima Odilova, with a bronze in the women’s 100m butterfly. Kazakh athletes finished the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in 43rd place with seven medals, and at the Paralympics, Yerkin Gabbasov has won a silver in shooting. The remaining three Central Asian countries — Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — have no medals as yet.