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Uzbekistan: UN body finds rights record abysmal
The Uzbek government should urgently heed the UN Human Rights Committee's calls to improve its rights record, Human Rights Watch said today.
Uzbekistan's international partners, including the United States government and European Union member states, should make compliance with the committee's recommendations a key component of their dialogues with Tashkent, Human Rights Watch said.
"The committee's findings are damning, and underscore just how pressing the need is for for serious, sustained pressure on the Uzbek government over its abysmal rights record," said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Getting the Uzbek government to take the steps the committee has identified should be a key component of international dialogue with Tashkent."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's trip to Central Asia next week provides a perfect opportunity to convey a strong message to the Uzbek government about human rights reform, Human Rights Watch said.