What Happened to Republic of Karakalpakstan?

The Republic of Karakalpakstan, a vast autonomous region in northwestern Uzbekistan, has a unique constitutional status that grants it sovereignty and the right to secede via a referendum. This status, enshrined in its 1993 constitution and Article 89 of Uzbekistan's constitution, became the focal point of a major crisis in July 2022.

In late June 2022, the Uzbek government proposed a package of constitutional amendments, which controversially included provisions to remove Karakalpakstan's 'sovereign' status and its right to secede. This announcement sparked widespread outrage and led to large-scale protests in the Karakalpak capital of Nukus on July 1-2, 2022. The demonstrations, which were reportedly met with a forceful response from security forces, resulted in at least 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries, according to official figures, though independent observers suggest the toll may have been higher. The protests were also fueled by the arrest of prominent Karakalpak lawyer and journalist Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, who had called for a peaceful rally.

In a swift and unusual move, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Nukus on July 2, 2022, and announced the withdrawal of the proposed constitutional changes concerning Karakalpakstan's status, effectively bowing to the protesters' core demand. However, a state of emergency was imposed, and an internet blockade was implemented, lasting until July 21, 2022. In the aftermath, a crackdown on dissent followed, with hundreds arrested and many reportedly subjected to ill-treatment or torture in custody. Several activists, including Tazhimuratov, were subsequently tried on charges such as rioting, separatism, and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, receiving lengthy prison sentences.

As of September 2026, human rights organizations continue to highlight concerns regarding the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Impunity for the violent suppression of the protests persists, and Karakalpakstani residents blacklisted by security forces reportedly face systemic discrimination. Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, already serving a 16-year sentence, received an additional five-year sentence in May 2026, with reports of torture and hazardous forced labor. Uzbekistan also continues to pursue the extradition of exiled Karakalpak activists from neighboring countries.

Despite these human rights issues, the Uzbek government has simultaneously launched ambitious socio-economic development programs for Karakalpakstan. In March 2026, President Mirziyoyev approved a landmark decree for the region's socio-economic development, setting targets for economic growth, employment, and infrastructure modernization through 2030. By September 2026, new investment projects worth billions of dollars were announced and launched, focusing on artificial intelligence, data centers, renewable energy (including a $2.6 billion wind farm), agriculture, mining, transport, and healthcare. The region's economy grew by 10.2% in the first half of 2026, with projections to significantly increase its Gross Regional Product and exports by 2030. This dual approach reflects Uzbekistan's attempt to address long-standing grievances and develop the region while maintaining tight control over political dissent.