US 2024 Report Highlights Ongoing Human Rights Issues in Uzbekistan
The United States Department of State’s 2024 Human Rights Report on Uzbekistan has found no significant changes in the country’s human rights situation over the past year, citing ongoing concerns over unlawful killings, torture, limits on press freedom and the absence of a functioning asylum system.
Allegations of Unlawful Killings and Torture
The report highlights credible accounts of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including the death of protester Dilmurod Yusupaliyev in police custody in June after alleged beatings and denial of medical care. An Interior Ministry employee was later sentenced to nine months in prison over the incident. Human Rights Watch and Freedom for Eurasia reiterated allegations of excessive force during the 2022 Karakalpakstan protests, noting the absence of government accountability.
Although NGOs reported a reduction in centrally ordered torture outside Karakalpakstan, incidents during interrogations continued. The Ombudsperson’s Office recorded 147 complaints of torture, resulting in one criminal case.
Restrictions on Press and Civic Freedoms
While the constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the report notes continued prosecutions of journalists and bloggers under libel, slander and extortion laws. At least five bloggers were convicted for alleged extortion in what media groups say is an ongoing campaign to silence critical voices. Self-censorship was widespread, with some journalists avoiding coverage of the president and his family due to fear of reprisals.
The government also retained control over labour organisations, with no independent unions operating. Civil society groups reported that attempts to establish alternative unions would likely be suppressed.
Deficiencies in Refugee Protection
International observers described Uzbekistan’s political asylum process as «nonexistent». In 2024, only five Afghan nationals were granted asylum, and many others faced visa renewal challenges, economic hardship and the threat of forced return to Afghanistan, according to the report.
However, last winter, Tashkent temporarily received around 100 Palestinian women and children displaced by the conflict in the Gaza Strip. These evacuees will remain in Uzbekistan until conditions allow them to return home. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization expressed gratitude to the Uzbek authorities for hosting Palestinians. These displaced nationals were granted financial and social aid.
Transnational Repression
The report documents cases of Uzbek authorities seeking the extradition of Karakalpak activists from neighbouring countries, with some granted asylum in the United States after prolonged detention abroad. There were also accounts of authorities revoking citizens’ identity documents while overseas to limit their mobility.
The State Department concluded that while Uzbekistan had taken limited steps to address abuses, weak rule of law and lack of transparency continued to enable violations.
