One of the main news of the past days that caused very burning discussions in the Uzbek blogoshpere was the resolution of the Uzbek government on the selling of alcoholic beverages – prohibition, the decision of the government “About measures on the further improvement of alcoholic production in retail trade”. Even though the majority of people in Uzbekistan consider themselves as Muslims (Islam prohibits alcohol), the reaction of the ordinary citizen as well as bloggers was negative.

Kamron in his post on neweurasia mainly criticizes the new resolution. According to him, it is obvious that the law is made by the government in order to take control over the alcohol market in the country which has really profitable niche. He also says that in order to legally sell the alcohol beverages one must meet several requirements put by the new law which are really difficult, like they must be far away from schools, kindergartens, public places, etc. Kamron writes:

Just think about it: where, for example, in Tashkent city is it possible to find a place that is remote enough from schools, stops and many other abovementioned places, which is crowded enough and easily accessible to consumers? There are no such places, except for uninhabited city suburbs. This and many other aspects of innovations result in depressingly enough consequences for those who more or less consume alcoholic drinks.

Libertad reports on the first results of the prohibition. As he says, there were many assumptions on the possible results of the law, but the one that was about the prosperity of the underground manufacturing and selling of alcohol beverages has already come out. Libertad writes that now people have to illegally sell alcohol. Consequently, it is reflected in the raise of the price of the drinks. It has become really profitable for many underground retailers. Therefore, many people are trying to get involved in this. As Libertad writes:

As underground alcohol business has already become a really profitable enterprise, everyone is doing it, besides former sellers. So if you are in Tashkent and want to get an alcoholic drink, go to almost any seller in the bazaar, let it be a grocery seller, and say to him/her that you need some booze and in couple of minutes you will get it, but of course for a higher price than before.

Libertad also says that palyonka (handmade vodka) has become really famous nowadays, because it is cheaper than ordinary vodka. Though, they are not of great quality, which may have really bad consequences, like alcohol poisoning that in many cases has lethal end.

Besides the alcohol law, the Uzbek blogosphere also discussed about the intention of the government to take control over uncontrolled labor immigration. According to new resolution of the government “On registration of the citizens seeking employment abroad” Gastarbeiters, labor migrants, who mainly work in Russia and Kazakhstan, have to come back to Uzbekistan, go through registration, pay custom dues, get the “green flag” and then go to work to Russia and Kazakhstan again.

In my post, I wrote mainly about the possible reactions of labor migrants to this law and about new problems they may face. I discussed that “from now on, citizen, who have no other chance to survive but to go to another country to work under unbearable work conditions, where they are often discriminated (even killed), have to go through the tortures of government bureaucracy and “unofficial” taxes in their home country.” Analytics say that the authorities hope to replenish the treasury at labor immigrants’ expense.

The government should not put too much pressure on labor migrants, as government itself knows the importance of money flowing into country from labor migrants. Any pressure on migrants means the decrease in their numbers.

Kamron has also discussed this issue (RUS). He writes that the labor migrants were shocked when they found out as the New Years surprise they got the resolution of Russian government on migration laws that required the registration and obtaining work permit, as well as the law that forbids foreigners work in trading. The labor migrants were again greatly shocked when the same happened in their home country. Kamron also supports the idea that it is the Uzbek governments attempt to get more money by taxing the labor migrants.

Is blogger dangerous? Khorezm repots on its blockade in Uzbekistan (RUS). It is really surprised though, as it didn’t contain any information that could challenge the current regime or government individuals. All the information it had were mainly reports on ordinary life going on in Uzbekistan, especially in Khorezm region. Libertad commented on that in neweurasia:

Sometimes, Khorezm even showed its sympathy to the Uzbek government. We can see this, for example, in the post about the plan of the movement “Birdamlik” (RUS) to call people of Urgench city on March 8, Women’s Day, to go out and join protests and demand the government to free the human rights activists next to the building of National Security Service . In this post Khorezm mainly criticizes forces who mainly work for the western world, and who are trying to provoke citizens against the government.

For free Journalism repots on the trial of the famous journalist Yuri Chernogaev for allegedly slandering about the president Islam Karimov. Other accusations towards the journalist are tax non-payment and “illegal dissemination of information that is dangerous to the public security”. The blog takes as a proof the words of the journalist to the Associated Press. According to For Free Journalism, the journalist could slander anything towards the president as Islam Karimov used to show his sympathy to him in many press conferences. For example, if there were not any questions from the audience, president Karimov used to say “Even Chernogaev does not have one?”

Libertad also discussed in neweurasia the rumors about the decision of the Uzbek government about reducing the planting of rice throughout the country. He writes that it may be too dangerous for most farmers as rice is their only income.

I wrote in neweurasia about the traditions in the Uzbek weddings. Mainly, I just explained the ordinary traditional procedures that take place in weddings. Also, I wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of several traditions, and how people have distorted initial ideas of some of them.