(Berlin, December 15, 2023) – A court in Nukus, Uzbekistan will consider an appeal on December 19, 2023, from a farmers’ cooperative that was closed in November under a court order…| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
“Прежде чем начать это интервью, я хочу сказать, что если завтра меня не будет в живых, если завтра меня арестуют или если я исчезну, то ответственность за это будет лежать на хокиме Шахрисабзского района Самаде Хасанове. Он виноват в моем бедственном положении. Если я зав...| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
“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
Насилие со стороны милиции в Узбекистане: два случая, мало ответов Подкрепленные доказательствами обвинения в Кашкадарье и Намангане свидетельствуют о постоянном злоупотреблении властью и безнаказанности должностных лиц. Эта статья основана на видеорепортаже Озодли...| 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
The privatization of Uzbekistan’s cotton sector has exposed how workers are deprived of the fundamental right to freedom of association.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
In 2021, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved two loans of USD 70 million, in aggregate, to Indorama Agro to support private sector investment in the cotton farming sector in Uzbekistan. The project promotes mechanised cotton harvesting and environmental and operational improvements. In addition, the company benefited from technical cooperation funds of up to EUR 150 000 to pay costs associated with the project’s environmental and social due diligence.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
In January 2024, in the most recent and serious case, an independent rights monitor working on the Indorama Agro project was threatened by government security officials. The monitor was told that their work was “dangerous” and that they would face criminal charges if they did not immediately stop speaking to Indorama workers.| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
This report aims to shed light on the situation for bloggers and journalists in Uzbekistan which, in spite of ongoing reforms in the country since 2016, remains concerning. When President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016, the overall human rights situation in the country appeared to be improving. During this period, the government released some political prisoners, adopted legislative amendments regarding people’s political participation and judicial independence, took measures to e...| Uzbek Forum for Human Rights