The Parliament of Uzbekistan, amid large-scale protests in Nukus, decided to preserve the autonomy of Karakalpakstan, DW reports citing the press service of the legislative body..

" Mirziyoyev at a meeting with deputies of the Jokargy Kenes (Supreme Council - ed.. ) and representatives of the public of Karakalpakstan noted the need to take into account all proposals. It is indicated that articles 70-72, 74 and 75 of the Constitution will be left unchanged, and the existing norms will be preserved,” the message says..

Mass protests in the capital of autonomous Karakalpakstan, the city of Nukus, broke out on July 1. Thousands of people took to the streets against the draft amendment to the Constitution of Uzbekistan, which provides for the elimination of autonomy. In this case, the largest region of the country would lose the right to secede from Uzbekistan following a general referendum..

The next day, the protesters tried to storm the state administration in Nukus, President Mirziyev arrived in the rebellious region and promised not to change the articles of the Constitution relating to the autonomous republic, with the exception of Art.. 73 about the immutability of its boundaries.

In clashes between protesters and security forces, 18 people were killed, another 243 were injured and injured, 94 victims were hospitalized, said Abror Mamatov, a representative of the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan.. Security forces detained 516 protesters, a state of emergency was introduced in the autonomy.

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On December 14, 1990, the parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan within the Uzbek SSR adopted a declaration of state sovereignty, which assumed the complete independence of the state.

In 1993, the government of Uzbekistan signed an interstate agreement with Karakalpakstan for a period of 20 years on the entry of the Republic of Karakalpakstan into Uzbekistan. The agreement stipulates the right to withdraw the autonomous republic from Uzbekistan by holding a referendum.

In 2013, the agreement expired, but its terms were not met. Members of the Alga, Karakalpakstan movement are fighting for the independence of Karakalpakstan, many of them are in exile abroad.