Today on August 28, representatives of state and public organizations, Muslim religious leaders, elderly citizens, and members of the intelligentsia gathered at the Shahidlar Khotirasi (Memory of the Victims of Repression) memorial complex in Tashkent.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the ceremony honoring victims of political repressions. Verses from the Quran were recited and prayers offered in memory of those who gave their lives for the homeland.
Quranic recitations were also held at the symbolic grave within the memorial. There, the president held a dialogue with religious leaders and members of the intelligentsia on preserving historical memory, restoring the names of repression victims, and raising young people in a spirit of patriotism.
"These days, together with our people, we are joyfully preparing to mark the 35th anniversary of our independence. For 35 years, without being dependent on anyone, we have lived freely and prosperously under this peaceful, clear sky. This is a great happiness, an invaluable treasure. On such momentous days, it is our sacred duty to remember the heroic ancestors who perished in the struggle for independence and freedom, and to honor their memory," Mirziyoyev said.
The president stressed that the heroism of these selfless ancestors must never be forgotten, and that their courage will always remain a source of spiritual strength for the nation.
In recent years, extensive work has been carried out to perpetuate the memory of repression victims and restore historical justice. The State Museum of Memory of Victims of Repression at the Shahidlar Khotirasi complex has undergone a complete reconstruction, with an expanded exhibition and modern technology, while digital systems and artificial intelligence have been used to make the displays more impactful.
Museums dedicated to repression victims in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and across all regions have likewise been upgraded to modern standards, with their collections enriched by rare documents and photographs gathered from around the world.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Supreme Court exonerated more than 1,200 men who had been victims of political repression. This year alone, the names of another 161 citizens who were wrongfully convicted or sentenced to death under the former totalitarian regime have been cleared.
Over the past five years, academic conferences dedicated to studying the legacy of the Jadid reformist movement have been held regularly. Researchers have been identifying the names of compatriots who fell victim to repression and studying their work and creative and scholarly legacies, with information about hundreds and thousands of these individuals reaching the public through books, the press, and other media.
During the dialogue, participants recalled that in the 1980s, thousands of Uzbek citizens were subjected to political repression on fabricated charges under the so-called "Cotton Affair" and "Uzbek Affair." Between 1983 and 1990, 40,000 Uzbeks were investigated, and 5,000 were prosecuted. Today, historical justice is being restored in this area as well, and officials stressed that this work would continue systematically.
The president noted with concern that armed conflicts and political confrontations are intensifying around the world and increasingly reaching regions close to Uzbekistan, which underscores the need to value peace at home and to live in greater unity and solidarity.
"Our path is one of peace, friendship and cooperation. Uzbekistan will never turn back from this path," the president said.
Today, Uzbeks can travel freely to any country in the world, and Uzbekistan cooperates with all nations on an equal footing — a practical expression of the country's complete liberation from the chains of colonialism and what is often referred to as "cotton slavery."
Significant attention is also being paid to ensuring young people receive quality education and grow up as patriotic citizens. Over the past decade, the number of higher education institutions in the country has grown from 77 to 205, with admission quotas steadily increased. More than 3,500 Uzbek students are currently studying at universities ranked among the world's top 100. Major reforms are also underway in school and preschool education.
"We must place special emphasis on raising young people with a sense of national pride. National pride is a powerful force that fills a person's heart, soul and entire being with strength and energy. A person with national pride can never be defeated," Mirziyoyev said.
Religious leaders offered prayers for the souls of repression victims and those who sacrificed their lives for the homeland's freedom, wishing for lasting peace, tranquility and prosperity in the country.
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