Mirziyoyev Honors Victims of Repression in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a ceremony commemorating victims of political repression at the Shahidlar Khotirasi memory lane complex in Tashkent on 28 August 2026, ahead of the 35th anniversary of national independence, according to the presidential press service.

The event was attended by state officials, representatives of public organizations, community elders, religious figures, and members of the intelligentsia. Quranic verses were recited and prayers were offered in memory of repression victims, followed by a memorial pilaf service. Prayers were also read at the symbolic tomb located on the grounds, where Mirziyoyev spoke with religious leaders and intellectuals regarding historical memory preservation, restoring the names of repression victims, and patriotic education for youth.

Mirziyoyev stated that the 35th anniversary of independence serves as an occasion to honor ancestors who fought for freedom, noting that their legacy should provide spiritual strength and that preserving their memory forms an integral part of modern reforms.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has expanded efforts to restore historical justice and commemorate repression victims. The Museum of Victims of Political Repression at the Shahidlar Khotirasi complex has been renovated and upgraded with digital systems and artificial intelligence tools to enhance exhibits. Regional memory museums in Karakalpakstan and other provinces have also been modernized with archival documents and photographs collected internationally.

Between 2021 and 2025, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan rehabilitated more than 1,200 individuals who were victims of repression. In 2026, an additional 161 individuals unlawfully accused and sentenced to prison terms or execution during the former totalitarian regime were rehabilitated.

Special focus is being placed on studying the heritage of the Jadids. Over the past five years, research conferences have been held regularly to identify victims of repression, study their academic and creative works, and publish information about them across media platforms.

The meeting also addressed political repressions from the 1980s. Under the so-called "Cotton Case" and "Uzbek Case" investigations between 1983 and 1990, approximately 40,000 residents of Uzbekistan were investigated, with 5,000 held criminally liable. Participants emphasized that efforts to restore historical justice regarding these events will continue.

Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of valuing peace and stability amid growing armed conflicts and political confrontations globally, reaffirming Uzbekistan's commitment to peace, friendship, and cooperation.

The president linked national development to education and enlightenment, highlighting the legacy of the Jadids who advocated for societal knowledge. He noted that over the past decade, the number of higher education institutions in Uzbekistan increased from 77 to 205, with expanded admission quotas, while more than 3,500 young citizens are currently studying at top-100 global universities. Reforms are also progressing across school and preschool education systems.

The ceremony highlighted developments in the religious sphere, including the construction of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, the reconstruction of the Imam Bukhari complex in Samarkand, and the opening of the Burhanuddin Marginani center in Margilan. Over the past decade, more than 100,000 citizens have had the opportunity to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

The ceremony concluded with prayers for the victims of repression and ancestors who died for national freedom, as well as wishes for long-term peace, tranquility, and prosperity in Uzbekistan.