June 20th - International Refugees Day
Politics and Society, UzbekistanNo Comment
[inspic=7,left,,150] Wednesday, June 20th, 2007: For many of us this day is the same as any other, and those of us who don’t know what this day marks are very fortunate.
For thousands of people around the world this day is very special. Six years ago in 2001 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare this day as International Refugee Day. It celebrates and honours those whose fate is to have flown from their homes and families due to political, religious or economic persecution as refugees. This day means a lot for many Uzbekistani citizens, many of whom, forced by the government, had to flee from their homeland. International Refugee Day is a celebration of their courage and will to make a difference in their community, city and country.
President Karimov’s regime does not allow freethinkers to express themselves in Uzbekistan; a lot of brilliant people now have to live abroad, away from their families, friends and homeland. They are composed of politicians who do not support Islom Karimov’s policy, journalists whose work criticises Karimov’s regime and who reported on events in Andijan, human rights activists who tried but failed to defend the human rights of Uzbek citizens, and finally citizens of Andijan who allegedly “tried to overthrow� the constitutional regime in Uzbekistan on May 13, 2005.
We must admit that not everyone has the nerve or resolve to dare to oppose an oppressive regime and in this case be forced to leave Uzbekistan, and not everyone can stand the difficulties these refugees had to face. At the same time, despite living far away from Uzbekistan, most Uzbek political refugees are continuing their work.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy for Uzbek refugees, who now live in foreign countries, among foreign people, and must adapt to different cultures. Those who who undoubtedly miss their homeland, with its sunny summers and chilly winters. Those who miss eating a real plov and drinking hot green tea in chaikhanas, those who tried to make a difference in Uzbekistan but failed as their individual power was not enough to stand up to the pressure of the government.
I very much hope that one day you will make it! You will come back to Uzbekistan, to your motherland, without any fear of being caught and tortured by the government. I am sure one day you will make it – you will make a difference!
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