The UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Helena Fraser issued a statement on March 30 regarding the anti-LGBT protes and related violence in Tashkent.
“Around the world, and here in Uzbekistan, the UN condemns all forms of discrimination and violence against any person.
The UN also condemns hate speech, which is an attack on tolerance, inclusion, diversity and the very essence of universal human rights norms and principles.
The UN Country Team in Uzbekistan calls on national law enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the disturbing events of the past weekend.
We also call on media, bloggers, and civil society to work together to counter violence rooted in hatred and all forms of discrimination.
As UN Secretary-General has said, citing the UN Charter: “Human rights are the birthright of every person and in the interests of every country. They ensure stability, build solidarity and promote inclusion and growth”.
On March 28, at about 15.00, an anti-LGBT protest took place in downtown Tashkent.
Miraziz Bazarov, a blogger who organized a gathering of Anime and K-Pop fans and reportedly was a LGBT activist, was severely beaten near his home on Sunday evening on March 28.
Witnesses said he was taken to the Republican Traumatology Medical Center with serious injuries.
