The incident involving the governor of Shahrisabz district, who barged into a local resident's home, berated a woman for an unswept yard and the state of the kitchen, humiliated her on gender grounds (“A man lives with you, after all”), and threatened fines, is not an isolated case. According to reports from various regions of Uzbekistan, such incidents are occurring everywhere.
Moreover, according to residents, in some mahallas, leaders, when “barging into” homes, urge residents to tidy up their yards and houses to “avoid shame” and distribute those videos. The newspaper also reported on another video where a certain leader — apparently a mahalla chairman — speaks dismissively to homeowners, urging them to “wake up” and noting that even dogs and livestock live in better conditions (“sweeping their place with their tail”). He ignores the demand of the female homeowner not to be filmed. While the husband remains mostly silent, the wife demands that the visitor not shout or give orders, then asks him to address the problems of poor roads and gas shortages.
Uzbekistan's Ombudsman Feruza Eshmatova recently stated that it is unacceptable to humiliate and insult citizens, as well as interfere in their private lives. The Anti-Corruption Agency, in turn, emphasized that such actions do not correspond to the ethical standards of a civil servant and violate the country's laws.
Nevertheless, as evidenced by the ever-new videos being distributed, violations of citizens' rights continue. At the same time, it is becoming clear that these actions are carried out on the orders of higher-ranking leaders. In one video, the chairman of the “Saroy” mahalla (district and region being clarified) threatens a woman with a fine if “order is not established,” in a fairly tidy yard.
He names the homeowner and addresses the “respected leadership,” stating that together with members of the “mahalla seven,” he inspected the rooms, kitchen, and tandyr. Addressing the woman informally, he says: “Do you understand? Clean up all your places.”
Another video involving this official begins with the words: “Respected leadership, respected residents of 'Saroy'.” He says he is aware of discussions and criticism over the “yesterday's” video and that it is the decision of the regional governor, related to preparations for the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence. He emphasizes that mahallas have been tasked with examining citizens' households both externally and internally, calls on them not to “act smart” and not to “spoil the people,” and threatens to call other leaders if necessary.
“Sit properly, live quietly. I don't need this either. I'm not entering your homes because I miss you, comrades. Just understand correctly, I'm forced to enter. I haven't fined anyone yet, but in other mahallas they are fining, entering 20-30 households,” says the mahalla leader.
On a separately created Instagram account, one can see many similar videos. Almost all of them begin with the words “respected leadership.” The name and surname of the homeowner are mentioned. Officials claim that within the framework of the “Topical 40 Days” campaign, they are going door-to-door and “assessing” the condition of kitchen utensils, tandyr ovens, and living conditions.
In all videos, residents are required to whitewash tandyr ovens and clean the area. In some clips, the faces of young children are visible, and their names are heard. Officials are accompanied by police officers. Some people are threatened with fines. In one video, a woman says she cannot afford to whitewash the walls. The person filming says he will bring her lime, and her daughters can help with whitewashing.
In another clip, a girl says that mahalla representatives, together with a police officer, citing the governor's expected visit, forced them to demolish or whitewash the fence around their house. According to her, now money is needed to remove the demolished fence, and even more to build a new one. The house is located along a large street, with young children living there, and they are now at risk.
The girl reported that government representatives shouted and insulted family members. “Why do they come and force us to demolish what was built?” she asks. Earlier, Gazeta cited statements from the Ombudsman and the Anti-Corruption Agency. Public figures also condemned the actions of the leaders.
Irina Matvienko, founder of the anti-violence project Nemolchi.uz, told Gazeta: “The 'mahalla seven' has turned into some kind of 'morality police' instead of dealing with people's problems. Did anyone ask the woman in the video how she makes a living? What help does she need? What is her condition?”
“No, instead they inspected her home and reprimanded her. They also told her that no one would take a girl from such a house. As if women's only duty is to keep the house clean, they shame women. This attitude is a consequence of the objectification of women and further reinforces gender stereotypes,” she said.
Gulnoz Mamarasulova, head of the Uzbekistan office of the “Central Asian Human Rights Association,” stressed that officials' powers do not give them the right to enter citizens' homes, humiliate them, or shame them on social media. “Inviolability of the home is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Even if a state official enters a citizen's home, they must not exercise their powers in a way that damages the person's honor and dignity,” she said.
The human rights activist also noted that the Shahrisabz district governor violated the ethical standards of a civil servant: “These words are an attitude aimed at publicly embarrassing and humiliating a citizen. The task of state bodies is not to shame a citizen, but to act on the basis of the law.” She called for an investigation into the governor's actions, a legal assessment, and prosecution in accordance with the law. “If such actions are not given a legal assessment, it will undermine citizens' trust in state institutions,” added Gulnoz Mamarasulova.
Social media has also seen parody videos mocking officials' actions. In a video posted by blogger nanixanum, a woman enters a neighbor's house and scolds girls lying in a room for the house not being cleaned, the refrigerator dusty, and a bitten piece of melon in it. “Are you girls or what?” she asks (jokingly). “What if suddenly the governor-grandfather and matchmakers come?”
Journalist Muhrim A'zamkhodjaev posted a video of himself taking out trash after midnight. “You too [look after your house]. Probably, the task given to that Shahrisabz governor was also given to our governor… If we take precautions, it wouldn't be bad, but if our video comes out, it's not good.” The satirical channel Habikatura published a cartoon about a “parallel world” where a woman enters the governor's office, rummages through papers on the desk, and asks: “Is this work? Look at how these applications are lying!”
Source: www.gazeta.uz