A Notorious Appeal to the Uzbek Parliament
“We request you to recognize our constitutional right to register in the Ministry of Justice of the republic of Uzbekistan in order to become fully legitimate participants in the political life of Uzbekistan de jure, since de facto we have been such for a long time.”
This statement concluded a long open letter from the recently formed “Sunshine Uzbekistan” party to Oliy Majlis - the Uzbek Parliament. Sanjar Umarov, the chairman of the party has made a very serious move by appealing to the instrument of Karimov’s power AND OPENLY CRITICIZING the actions that this government has taken both in the long-term and recently in Andijan. This letter could either be ignored by Oliy Majlis; lead to official registration of the party; or, most likely it will put a label of unconsitutionality on the party as a threat to the current “legitimate” consititutional regime.
I would note that although the letter is open, it has not yet been covered in any media, neither Russian, nor Western. The only link to it that you can find as of today is at Registan. Why is it not even published on the official website of Sunshine Uzbekistan?
Questions like these pose doubts about the authenticity of this letter of appeal to a certain degree. Let’s stay alert for any news regarding this issue.
on October 19th, 2005 at 8:44 pm
It’s real. I assure you. Unless I’m the victim of a needlessly elaborate, long-lasting hoax. Send me an email and I can give you a few more details off the record.
These guys published it too. They got it from the same source as me.
on October 19th, 2005 at 11:48 pm
Indeed. I just received a confirmation from Sunshine Uzbekistan. I take my words back - this is not a speculation/provocation.
I am eager to see the official response to this letter, will keep track.
on October 20th, 2005 at 6:26 am
Sunshine Uzbekistan is not a party and is not seeking registration as a party. It is a coalition/citizen’s group, whatever you may wish to call it, but not a party. Yes, the letter is real and it is being widely distributed.
on October 21st, 2005 at 6:50 am
The letter is now published