Uzbekistan new indd

Party, which promoted principles of independence 
and national rebirth.
27
 The Birlik movement was of-
ficially recognized in 1991, but denied registration as 
a party. Several activists, notably Muhammad Salih, 
left Birlik and formed the Erk party as the “official 
opposition” in April 1990.
In 1993, the government issued a decree requir-
ing all officially recognized public organizations and 
political parties to re-register or face suspension. On 
October 1, 1993, the government used technical pre-
texts to prevent both Birlik and Erk from registering 
with the Ministry of Justice, which resulted in the 
permanent ban of both parties.
28
 The government be-
gan to actively persecute members of the Birlik party, 
and a number of opposition leaders disappeared or 
were assaulted or imprisoned.
29
 The Members of both