D. Usamov - Will the youth organization “Tanlov become the next victim of repressions in Uzbekistan?
00:28 18.04.2003 [12:28 pm Moscow time on April 18, 2003]
Translated from Russian by Tanlov members in refuge in Turkey and the United States
Will the youth organization “TANLOV become the next victim of repressions?

Dishod USAMOV, independent rights defender

In Tashkent, another attempt on democratically oriented organization took place. Even in the cradle, this organization managed to increase the already long list of persecuted organizations of democratic origin by the authorities of Uzbekistan. In the end of March 2003, one of the activists of the youth movement “Tanlov of Democratic Party “Erk was arrested and put into custody.

The youth movement “Tanlov was created in the end of last year [2002] by young members of Party Erk. They [young Erk members] composed the nucleus of the guiding branch of this youth organization [Tanlov]. This movement was created as an alternative to the existing organization Kamolot. The decree of youth organization Tanlov presents the main principles which give it [Tanlov] alternativeness.

1. The idea base of the activity [of Tanlov] will be composed by the Program of the Democratic Party Erk; 2. Organizational base of activity will be composed by territorial principle. [Tanlov] undoubtedly [has] democratic origin.

The need for such an organization has been maturing for a long time because Kamolot [youth organization of Uzbek authorities] failed with its task of unifying the youth and upbringing the spirit of democracy. Without being a political organization, Tanlov set its goal to attract the youth and prepare them to serve the motherland.

In the early 1990's, party Erk had a youth branch “Uzbekiston Yosh Democratlari [Young Democrats of Uzbekistan], whose activists were repressed shortly after its creation. Taking into account the experience of their senior associates [Young Democrats of Uzbekistan], the activists of Tanlov decided first to gain strength, and then widely speak about themselves. The work of Tanlov from the very beginning had wide commonality with many layers of youth. The youth of Uzbekistan was left in the hardest situation, torn from one side by economic hopelessness, which reigns in Uzbekistan, it also was left in ideological vacuum and complete informational blockade. Up to 80% of young people are unemployed and are without means for existence. The country [Uzbekistan] arrived to a situation, when the majority of the youth understand that the current [Karimov's] regime is a dead end, and that it is necessary to completely change the political style, but they [the youth] can not contribute their efforts to the development of opposition forces against the current regime.

At exactly that moment, Tanlov, that translates from Uzbek as Choice, was created. Nonetheless, the activists of Tanlov decided to refrain from publicity before the launch of the internet site with the same name [Tanlov]. This decision was caused by painful experience of the youth branch of Erk of the beginning of 1990's [Young Democrats of Uzbekistan]. During the conclusion of the activity for launching of internet site [Tanlov] in the end of March 2003, one of the activists of the youth organization was unexpectedly arrested and put into custody. He [the activist] was planted [by authorities] with weapons and religious leaflets. After some time, the search of the 'criminal' in the apartments of several other activists of organization“Tanlov began. So far it is unknown exactly what label is prepared for the youth organization [Tanlov], but it is obvious that it [Tanlov] is on the black list of criminal organizations and the authorities of Uzbekistan most likely seek support in defense against it [Tanlov]. If this [repression] continues, if the sprouts of democracy get trampled immediately after their appearance, then we, dear readers, will not see our country [Uzbekistan] prosperous and just soon.

Source - CentrAsia

Tanlov: Youth, this is our country!

Tanlov: What did Independence give to Uzbekistan?