“It is considered a violation of political ethics for officials to force citizens to engage in cotton picking,” stated Babur Bekmuradov

Currently, during the cotton harvest in certain regions of Uzbekistan, there have been instances of illegal involvement of individuals in cotton picking, sparking public debate. Babur Bekmuradov, the chairman of the national movement "Yuksalish" and a deputy of the Oliy Majlis, is one of the individuals who has reacted to this situation.

He expressed his views on social media, emphasizing that such occurrences contradict the progressive policies of contemporary Uzbekistan.

Bekmuradov remarked, "Efforts by specific officials and some regional governors to recruit people for cotton harvesting run counter to the progressive policies of modern-day Uzbekistan. It is imperative to completely put an end to such actions and abandon outdated management approaches."

The deputy stressed that, considering the vital role of the cotton industry in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies should reassess the value and profit distribution between clusters and farmers. He stated, "Clusters must adhere to socially responsible business practices and take into account the social interests of farmers in their interactions."

Bekmuradov also noted that, due to reforms in agriculture and human rights protection in Uzbekistan, forced labor involving 6-7 million people, including women, children, students, teachers, and medical workers, has been eradicated each season. He said, "In a short period, Uzbekistan has been removed from the 'blacklists' of numerous international organizations and governments in this regard, and boycotts have been lifted. Our country has established criminal liability for engaging in forced labor, resulting in over 300 officials being brought to justice."

It is worth recalling that on September 19 of this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his address at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, declared that the people of Uzbekistan had been completely freed from cotton slavery. Images and messages depicting the recruitment of students for cotton picking were circulated on social media. In response, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Employment clarified that the children shown in the images did not attend schools No. 7, 38, 48, and 54 in the Kashkadarya region. Subsequently, it was reported that the head of the Department of Poverty Alleviation and Employment of Uchkoprik District in the Fergana Region was sent to the cotton field on a Sunday, a day off, on the prosecutor's orders and had an accident on the way back.