Uzbekistan: Information on the Birlik organization
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UZB12175 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uzbekistan: Information on the Birlik organization, 1 November 1992, UZB12175, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab0893.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An article in RFE/RL Research Report reported that the Uzbek Popular Front Birlik is the largest political group in Uzbekistan after the People's Democratic Party (24 Jan. 1992, 24). The leadership of Birlik estimates that the movement has about 1.5 million members (Ibid., 24). According to the RFE/RL article, Birlik was allowed to register as a political movement in late 1991, but it was not permitted to field a candidate in the presidential election as President Karimov was afraid that Abdurakhim Pulatov, a Birlik candidate and chairman, would pose too much of a threat (Ibid., 24). A BBC report of 7 February 1992 indicated that the Birlik Party was not registered. According to this report, the Erk party, which split from Birlik, was the first opposition movement to be officially registered (BBC 7 Feb. 1992). Birlik and Erk support economic reforms and want Uzbekistan to become an independent state (Ibid.). An RFE/RL report from September 1991 quoted President Karimov as stating that he doubted that Birlik would ever qualify for registration (RFE/RL 27 Sept. 1991, 37). A number of the attached documents report that members of Birlik have been beaten or arrested. According to Reuters, the head of the Uzbek Popular Front Birlik, Abdurrahim Pulatov, was beaten on 30 June 1992 by four attackers (RFE/RL 10 July 1992, 80). Russian Television reported on 23 July 1992 that more than twenty Birlik activists were arrested in the past two months (RFE/RL 14 Aug. 1992, 80). RFE/RL Research Report stated that Pulat Akhunov, a leading member of Birlik, was arrested in early August in Andijan (4 Sept. 1992, 75). On 20 October 1992, the BBC reported that an attempt was made to assassinate Pulatov.
A few references to the activities of Birlik are included in the attached documents. Additional information on this subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB.
References
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 October 1992. "Uzbek Birlik Leader Escapes Assassination Attempt in Tashkent." (NEXIS)
. 7 February 1992. L. Aleksandrovna. "Move to Multiparty System in Uzbekistan." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 4 September 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 35. "Attacks on Opposition."
. 14 August 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 32. "Birlik Leaders Come to Trial."
. 10 July 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 28. "Opposition Leader Beaten."
. 7 February 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol.1, No. 6. James Critchlow. "Uzbekistan: Underlying Instabilities."
. 24 January 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 4. Bess Brown. "The Presidential Election in Uzbekistan."
. 27 September 1991. RFE/RL Report on USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 39. "Uzbekistan to Allow Only Limited Democracy."
Attachments
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 October 1992. "Uzbek Birlik Leader Escapes Assassination Attempt in Tashkent." (NEXIS)
. 7 February 1992. L. Aleksandrovna. "Move to Multiparty System in Uzbekistan." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 4 September 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 35. "Attacks on Opposition," p. 75.
. 14 August 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 32. "Birlik Leaders Come to Trial," p. 80.
. 17 July 1992. REF/RL Reseach Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 29. "Opposition Under Pressure," p. 82.
. 10 July 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 28. "Opposition Leader Beaten," p. 80.
. 21 February 1992. RFE/RL Reseach Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 8. "Birlik Activists on a Hunger Strike," p. 74.
. 7 February 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol.1, No. 6. James Critchlow. "Uzbekistan: Underlying Instabilities," pp. 8-9.
. 24 January 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 4. Bess Brown. "The Presidential Election in Uzbekistan," pp. 23-25.
. 27 September 1991. RFE/RL Report on USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 39. "Uzbekistan to Allow Only Limited Democracy," p. 37.
