Leave a place where you are not valued

On January 16, a press conference was held to discuss the key messages of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan, as well as to summarize the results of the National Revival Democratic Party’s activities in 2025.

Following the discussion of the presidential address, a brief overview of the party’s performance over the past year was presented. During the question-and-answer session with journalists, media representatives raised a number of socially significant and topical issues with Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and Chairman of the National Revival Democratic Party, Alisher Qodirov.

Among the issues raised was the possibility of restricting entry into Uzbekistan for certain foreign propagandists who interfere in the country’s internal affairs. In response, Qodirov stated that Uzbekistan’s policy of tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness.

“There is a saying that modesty is often mislabeled as cowardice. I believe the time has come to take a firmer stance toward certain forces that arbitrarily interpret Uzbekistan’s openness and peace-loving policy,” he said.

A QALAMPIR.UZ journalist noted that in recent years, cases of humiliation and pressure against Uzbek citizens abroad, particularly in Russia, have been increasing, while no tangible response has followed. The journalist asked whether political parties would take responsibility for monitoring such situations and submit a list of undesirable individuals to parliament. In response, Qodirov stressed that if the National Revival Democratic Party did not address this issue, no one else would.

“We will deal with this issue. After the recent statements by Solovyov, we concluded that if we do not act, no one will. We intend to approach this seriously, compile such a list, and discuss it with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I cannot promise a final outcome, as decisions depend on various factors, but we will ensure that proposals and initiatives are put forward,” he said.

It is worth recalling that under current legislation, foreign nationals or stateless persons who make public statements or take actions against Uzbekistan’s state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security, or who incite interethnic, social, national, racial, or religious hatred, or insult the honor, dignity, or history of the Uzbek people, are considered undesirable. Their entry into the country may be restricted.

The possibility of introducing a luxury tax in Uzbekistan was also discussed. Since the establishment of the Uzbek state, lavish wedding traditions have remained a persistent social issue. From the moment a child is born, families often begin planning for future weddings and extravagant celebrations. This phenomenon existed even a century ago, as noted by Abdulla Avloniy, who famously called for freeing Uzbeks from the “curse of weddings.” The issue persists today.

Decisions adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers in 1999, subsequent presidential decrees, regulations approved in 2010, and resolutions passed by the Oliy Majlis and the Senate in 2019 were all aimed at reducing and streamlining wedding ceremonies. However, these measures were either not fully implemented or ignored, as many families continue to spend their lifetime savings on lavish celebrations.

Qodirov emphasized that these restrictions should apply not only to ordinary citizens but also to extravagant weddings organized by influential individuals and certain officials.

According to him, people should channel their financial resources into income-generating projects. Those with excess wealth may hold lavish weddings, but only after paying a luxury tax. He noted that the primary purpose of a wedding is to publicly announce the marriage of two people, which can be done with a small number of guests. Qodirov stated that under the party’s proposal, those organizing extravagant weddings in Uzbekistan would be required to pay a luxury tax calculated per guest, potentially in US dollars.

“There is a saying in our culture: stretch your legs according to your blanket. We must understand this principle correctly and avoid wasting our income on excessive weddings. This is a long-standing flaw in our national mentality. If the goal is to announce a marriage, then let us do so modestly,” he said.

It was also stressed that spending large sums on weddings is not economically sound and that these funds should instead be invested in more productive areas. Introducing a tax was described as the most effective way to discourage excess.

“If you want luxury, then pay the luxury tax. Want to invite 10,000 guests? Fine, let the tax be calculated per guest and paid accordingly. If that is your choice, then go ahead,” Qodirov said.

He underlined that the proposed luxury tax is intended to encourage people to rethink their spending habits and outlook on life.

The discussion also touched on Qodirov’s earlier remarks urging labor migrants to leave Russia amid reports of abuse, humiliation, and even fatal violence involving OMON units. At the time, he said: “Use your common sense and leave Russia as soon as possible. No income is worth the tears of your parents and children.”

When asked where migrants should work if they leave Russia, Qodirov clarified that he had called on them to leave Russia, not necessarily to return to Uzbekistan.

“I urged migrants to leave Russia, not to return home,” he said.

Qodirov also urged Uzbek citizens not to tolerate humiliation and to leave any place where they are not valued. He stressed that he did not specifically mean returning to Uzbekistan, noting that job opportunities exist not only in Russia but also in other developed countries. He emphasized that Uzbeks are hardworking and should not be treated with disrespect.

“Migrants can work not only in Russia, but also in countries such as Sweden, Norway, the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, Austria, and Germany,” he said.

Qodirov added that many countries are currently showing strong interest in Uzbek labor migrants.

The press conference also addressed public outrage over teachers being required to stand night duty during the New Year holidays. When asked why the party had not defended teachers’ rights or commented on the situation, Qodirov responded that the party is not a legal advocacy institution. He said that everyone, including teachers, should learn to defend their own rights and, if necessary, seek justice through the courts.

For more details, viewers can watch the full video report on QALAMPIR.UZ’s YouTube channel.