Uzbek president backs off proposal to prevent secession vote

3/7/2022 19:35

        The president of Uzbekistan has backed off proposed constitutional changes that would have prevented the Karakalpakstan region from holding a referendum on splitting away from the country.
        
        A large protest against the proposed changes broke out Friday in the region's capital, Nuku. Demonstrators reportedly tried to seize government buildings and clashed with police.
        
        Karakalpakstan is a sprawling, mostly desert region in northwest Uzbekistan.
        
        President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met regional lawmakers the day after the unrest and later announced that a proposed new constitution would retain the region's right to seek secession. He also imposed a nighttime curfew for the region lasting until Aug. 2.
        
        Russian news agency Tass quoted a National Guard spokesperson as saying, no unrest took place during the first night of the curfew.