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Uzbek Opposition Party Tests Limits of Political Reform

Navbahor Imamova

   TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN - Khidirnazar Allakulov, 65, is a man with a
   mission: He aims to change the Uzbek political landscape with his new
   movement called the "Truth and Development" Social Democratic Party.

   But before Allakulov and his party can begin to reform a system he says
   is "evil" and "does not value its citizens and does not serve them in
   any way," he's going to have to get his party recognized.

   "Truth and Development" proclaimed itself a party on March 8, 2021, and
   applied to be registered on April 7 with about 20,000 signatures from
   its supporters. The Justice Ministry has a month to consider and
   respond.

   Campaigning for Uzbekistan's October 24, 2021, presidential election
   starts in July. Allakulov could be his party's candidate -- if it
   actually gets on the ballot. "I'm not against the current
   constitutional system or aim to overthrow it," he said. "But I'm
   against the current leadership and oppose the way Uzbekistan is run
   now."
   Khidirnazar Allakulov, leader of the new political group the "Truth and
   Development" Social Democratic Party, talks with VOA's Navbahor Imamova
   in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (VOA)

   Since its independence in 1991, like other countries in Central Asia,
   Uzbekistan has struggled to overcome its legacy of Soviet rule. Islam
   Karimov ruled with an iron fist for 27 years from 1989 to 2016. His
   successor, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, launched reforms aimed at
   rebalancing elements of Uzbek politics, devolving some powers from the
   executive to parliament, the Oliy Majlis.

   Currently, Uzbekistan has five political parties. They are vocal about
   their platforms and introduce initiatives in parliament. Senate
   chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva even argues that the Oliy Majlis is now
   independent. "We don't take orders even from the president's office,"
   Narbayeva told VOA. But none of these lawmakers dares to oppose the
   president, and all five are integral to the ruling elite.
   FILE - The members of the Uzbekistan Senate are seen during their
   session in Tashkent, Aug. 26, 2005.

   Talking to VOA in Tashkent, Allakulov says he is the only man in
   Uzbekistan who has a track record of standing against what he calls a
   corrupt Uzbek government. He victoriously fought the dictatorship
   through 14 court cases -- and took his grievances to the United
   Nations, which sided with him and reminded the Uzbek government of its
   legal obligations.

   Following graduation from what is now Tashkent State University of
   Economics, he worked his way up to head Termez State University.
   Allakulov says he always stood against corruption, mostly losing to the
   system, because stealing and bribery are ways of life in Uzbekistan.

   But Allakulov was fired as university rector and faced suits accusing
   him of corruption. By 2016, he had been indicted and seemed to have
   been just another part of the system he claims to want to change.

   Allakulov rose through established institutions and, in that sense,
   also represents Uzbekistan's old guard. To his critics, he belongs to
   the same generation of arrogant, egoistic, self-righteous men who
   already run Uzbekistan.

   "How different are you really?" VOA asked.

   Allakulov agreed he does not represent new blood. "But I'm honest and
   said 'no' when the government pushed me to be corrupt, lie, steal, and
   violate rights.

   "I suffered for years to clear my name, protect my wife and children
   from the hate my court cases created. It cost me my career. As an
   economics professor and holder of the highest academic degrees, I could
   have written books, shared knowledge and educated generations of
   Uzbeks. But instead," he said, "I fought for my honor and family."

   But even as he has opposed the system, Allakulov has done well from it
   economically through his family construction business in southern
   Uzbekistan.

   Allakulov attributes his success not to the Uzbek system but to his
   training in Washington. Because of what he learned in a 1990s exchange
   program, he says, he was able to put his money in the right places. He
   maintains it was that business savvy that allowed him to keep his
   wealth even as he battled Tashkent, local authorities, and the courts.

   "I'm no angel! Not everything I have done has been correct or
   honorable. But I'm here openly discussing my commitment to change the
   country."

   If he can create a true opposition party, it would be a significant
   change for a country that has never held free or fair elections,
   according to international observers such as the Organization for
   Security and Cooperation in Europe.

   One consistent criticism has been that Uzbek elections always lack
   competition and real choices for voters. And its neighbors fare little
   better. Kyrgyzstan is the only Central Asian country that earns
   relatively higher marks for its elections; Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and
   Turkmenistan -- like Uzbekistan -- have always lacked basic freedoms
   and fall short of the requirements for democratic elections.

   Allakulov says his party can fill that void, but complains about
   harassment and barriers to political entry. Allakulov says he has not
   gone to the General Prosecutor's Office because he does not trust it,
   or any part of the government.

   But the authorities deny those claims. Avazbek Madaminov, head of the
   Justice Ministry's NGO Department, tells VOA that his office maintains
   a neutral position, and is a responsible body for applicants to
   register as a nongovernmental organization or political party.
   Avazbek Madaminov heads Uzbek Justice Ministry's department dealing
   with the civil society, including NGOs and political parties. (VOA)

   "If these allegations have any basis, this group should file a formal
   complaint. If we receive them, we will pass them to the relevant
   entities to investigate."

   Allakulov accuses the ministry of sharing confidential information with
   the security services, who, he says, have bullied him and his followers
   for months. "The government has done everything it can to block our way
   and try to distract us from our mission."

   Madaminov dismisses these assertions.

   "Truth and Development," Allakulov says, wants separation of powers and
   rule of law. But all five existing parties more or less say the same
   thing. And Mirziyoyev himself claims that he is committed to ensuring
   Uzbekistan will be "a true democratic and just society."

   The more VOA pushed Allakulov for clarity on his program and ideas, the
   more his responses suggested that these things are a work in progress.
   He was often vague, mostly rhetorical, and offered few coherent ideas
   that were not much different from those espoused by existing parties.

   Allakulov says he will tackle corruption, human rights and rule of law,
   Central Asian unity, and economic development. Mirziyoyev's agenda
   looks similar but Allakulov argues his party's strategy and tactics
   would differ dramatically.

   Once registered, he said, "we will disclose our concrete plans."

   Senate Chairperson Narbayeva tells VOA that public pressure for
   fairness should guide the system to hold proper presidential elections.
   She said new parties should "follow the procedures. That's the way to
   get registered."

   If that happens, Allakulov's party may have an opportunity to make good
   on its promises of reform.