Business Ombudsman Calls for Respecting Property Rights During Raids

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Office of the Business Rights Ombudsman has urged government agencies to respect the inviolability of private property during measures aimed at improving the environmental situation.

The office emphasized the importance of strengthening environmental oversight and combating violations. However, reports from some regions indicate that business property has been damaged during raids. The Law on Guarantees of Freedom of Entrepreneurial Activity ensures protection of private property, and the liquidation of a business or any actions involving its assets are only permissible through a court decision or an authorized body.

“We call on authorized government agencies, during environmental activities, to respect the legal interests of entrepreneurs, not to violate property rights, and to act strictly within the framework of the law,” the Business Ombudsman’s office stated.

Previously, on 3 December, the press service of the Shakhrikhan District Hokimiyat in Andijan region reported raids aimed at preventing air pollution. The post included a video showing Hokimiyat staff destroying tandirs (traditional ovens) used for samsa with an excavator. Following public backlash, the video was removed.

The regional Hokimiyat clarified that the incident was immediately reviewed, and the Hokim of Shakhrikhan District, Hikmatillo Dadakhanov, who allowed the “irresponsible actions,” received a disciplinary warning. Explanatory measures were also carried out to prevent similar incidents in the future.