Diplomats, human rights activists discuss the problems of illegal demolition in Tashkent

On April 15, in Tashkent, representatives of the Western diplomatic missions, international and local human rights activists, as well as businessmen and journalists discussed issues relating to the illegal demolition and construction of buildings in Uzbekistan, which have recently caused widespread public discontent in the country, Kun.uz correspondent reports.

The event was held with participation of the US and EU diplomats, representatives of the International Labor Organization, the authoritative human rights organization Human Rights Watch on Central Asia, as well as media representatives and entrepreneurs.

According to the head of the Bukhara humanitarian-legal center Shukhrat Ganiyev, 80% of complaints received by his organization from local businessmen and ordinary Uzbek citizens concern the legality of demolitions carried out by the authorities.

During the event, Steve Sverdlov, a researcher of the Human Rights Watch on Central Asia, called on the authorities to open a dialogue on the issues of violating the rights of ordinary citizens, owners and entrepreneurs.

In addition, some human rights activists reported that they are currently collecting information on the number of ordinary citizens and entrepreneurs who have lost their property as a result of illegal demolitions. They noted that they are studying the facts related to the death of ordinary citizens from heart attack and stroke resulting from the illegal demolition of their homes.

The owner of a construction company in Tashkent Mukhammadbabur Khadjaev and a businessman from Bukhara Botir Adizov also expressed their opinions.

Representatives of the Tashkent city administration did not attend the event. As Kun.uz was informed at the capital's administration, they received an invitation very late.

It should be recalled that in November 2018, new buildings were demolished in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district, and businessman Mukhammadbabur Khadjaev lost more than $600,000.

Participants in the event called on the city authorities to stop the illegal demolition of housing in the cities of Uzbekistan and offered officials to discuss with the residents new construction projects in advance before demolishing their houses.