20 October 2020
The United States Embassy in Tashkent expresses its deepest condolences to the relatives, friends, and colleagues of celebrated Tashkent-based writer and former political prisoner Mamadali Makhmudov, who passed away on October 16 at age 79 from COVID-19.
Mamadali Makhmudov spent 17 years as a political prisoner and was considered a leading pioneer of human rights promotion in Uzbekistan. Mamadali Makhmudov’s activism spanned almost three decades, during which he advocated for democracy, freedom, and human rights – including through his books and novels. Makhmudov defended many of those who shared his ideals, and earned his place among the human rights advocates who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting the dignity of all people. His life was an inspiration to many human rights defenders, in particular to the younger generation of activists in Uzbekistan, and he will be remembered for his commitment to making Uzbekistan a better, fairer place.
