A video allegedly showing a Russian citizen comparing Uzbeks to dogs has sparked discourse on social media. The incident has reignited discussions on interethnic relations and the responsibilities of Uzbekistan's authorities in addressing such provocations.
Rasul Kusherbayev, advisor to the Minister of Ecology and a prominent public activist, addressed the issue in a video message. He emphasized that Uzbek law prohibits inciting interethnic hatred and that international norms explicitly forbid discrimination, insults, and inhumane treatment based on ethnicity.
Kusherbayev criticized the growing nationalist rhetoric in parts of Russian society, stating:
"The majority of Russian society today is unlike its past. Many are consumed by military ideology, searching for scapegoats for their pain, losses, and defeats. While there are respectable intellectuals, the rise of nationalism cannot be ignored."
He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of reciprocal respect in Uzbek-Russian relations. Referring to the video, Kusherbayev questioned whether Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs would act decisively:
"If our Foreign Ministry is too cowardly and just sits there, I don't know, there is no limit to such inhuman and despicable attitude. If one of our people were to compare a representative of the Russian nation to a dog, a pig, or something else and spread it on the Internet, do you know what kind of responsibility there would be, what kind of reaction there would be?"
Kusherbayev highlighted past instances where Russian officials quickly reacted to incidents involving their nationals. He cited a 2024 controversy in Tashkent, where a teacher's behavior toward a student during a Russian language lesson led to intervention by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
"Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs must stop sleeping and muster the courage to act, so that people will also calm down," he added.
In response to similar incidents, Uzbekistan recently amended its law on the legal status of foreign citizens. The changes allow authorities to declare individuals who insult the honor, dignity, or history of Uzbekistan as "inadmissible," effectively banning them from entering the country.
The inclusion of individuals in this list requires proposals from legislative councils or authorized state bodies, ensuring that repeated offenses or hate speech do not go unchecked.
Background on the Tashkent School Incident
In September 2024, a controversy arose at Tashkent's School No. 188 when a teacher allegedly beat a 6th-grade student. The student had requested the Russian language lesson be conducted in Russian, leading to an altercation. The teacher, who had been on probation, faced legal and administrative consequences.
Maria Zakharova commented on the incident, urging Uzbekistan to investigate and ensure accountability. The case became a flashpoint for discussions on bilateral respect and interethnic relations.
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