“Before I begin this interview, I want to say that if I am alive tomorrow, or if I am arrested tomorrow, or if I disappear, the responsibility for this will lie with the hokim of Shakhrisabz district, Samad Khasanov. He is to blame for my despair. If I die tomorrow, I would like the truth […]| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Evidence-backed allegations in Kashkadarya and Namangan highlight persistent abuse of power and impunity of officials. This article is based on a video report by Ozodlik documenting two recent cases of violence by police and officials. Victim testimony and medical records point to serious injuries allegedly inflicted by police officers. Kashkadarya: “I begged him to let […]| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Chairman of the Hosildor Oltintola cooperative, Abdurasul Haitov © Kun.uzUzbekistan’s cotton sector, long associated with state control and forced labor, is now facing a different but equally destructive crisis. Despite promises of reform and privatization, private cotton clusters – the powerful companies that dominate cotton production – have accumulated huge debts to farmers dating back to the 2023–2024 harvests. These unpaid debts, acknowledged by the chairman of the Tax Committee...| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
A recent conference on agricultural development, organized by the Farmers’ Council of Uzbekistan, claimed to bring together the voices of the country’s leading farmers. According to official reports, nearly 350 top farm managers were invited to present their views and discuss problems facing the development of diversified farming activities. These farmers were lauded with awards […]| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
In most countries, the courtroom is a place where truth is uncovered and justice is served. In Uzbekistan, according to veteran criminal defense lawyer, Sergei Mayorov, it is a place where justice is merely performative and masks its very absence —verdicts are often written long before the trial even begins.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Leaked Videos Reveal the Brutal Methods of the Presidential Advisor for Agriculture The independent Uzbek Telegram channel Eltuz has published two leaked video recordings from an online meeting between Shukhrat Ganiev, the Presidential Advisor on Agricultural Development, and regional officials, recorded in June and July of this year. Ganiev, who oversees Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector and […]| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Farmers in Bagdad district of Fergana region told journalist Sharifa Madrahimova that the district hokim is forcing them to deliver more grain to the state than is specified in their contracts.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Radio Ozodlik posted an appeal made by a farmer from Oltinsoy district (Surkhandarya region) who has accused the district hokim of deliberately cutting off his water supply in retaliation for refusing to surrender an additional 40 tons of grain beyond his contractual obligation. In his video appeal Bobur Pardaev, a farmer from the Oltinsoy district, […]| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
Farmer Barno Davlatova from the Syrdarya district, Syrdarya region, has accused local authorities of unlawfully confiscating her surplus wheat, which was in excess of her contractual obligations with the state enterprise Oqoltin Don.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights