• Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan: Abuses in International Spotlight
    Apr 22, 2013
    Press release
    Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan’s highly repressive policies are coming up for rare international scrutiny on April 22 and 24, 2013. United Nations member countries gathering at the Human Rights Council in Geneva under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) procedure should seize the opportunity to expose and denounce the ongoing repression in both countries and press for concrete steps to end abuses.
  • Russia: Worker Exploited on Olympic Venues is Detained
    Apr 11, 2013
    Press release
    The Russian authorities have unlawfully detained a migrant construction worker who was seeking to file a complaint for nonpayment of wages on Olympic venues in Sochi.
  • Uzbekistan: Kerry Should Raise Rights Abuses at Talks
    Mar 7, 2013
    Press release
    US Secretary of State John Kerry should publicly express concern about Uzbekistan’s deteriorating human rights situation during his meeting with the Uzbek foreign minister on March 12, 2013, and press for concrete improvements, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • Kyrgyzstan: Locate Missing Uzbek Refugee
    Feb 25, 2013
    Press release
    An Uzbek refugee has been missing from Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, since February 18, 2013.
  • Kyrgyzstan: Stop Extradition to Uzbekistan
    Feb 4, 2013
    Press release
    An appeals court in Bishkek should stop the extradition of a former Imam to Uzbekistan, where he would be at serious risk of torture.
  • Central Asia: Widespread Rights Abuse, Repression
    Jan 31, 2013
    Press release
    Kazakh and Uzbek authorities intensified persecution of outspoken government critics in 2012, while none of the five Central Asian governments seriously tackled longstanding, grave human rights abuses, such as widespread impunity for torture.
  • Uzbekistan: Forced Labor Widespread in Cotton Harvest
    Jan 25, 2013
    Press release
    Uzbek authorities have increased the use of forced labor by adults and older children in the cotton sector during the past year. The move was apparently made to shift the burden away from younger children in response to public scrutiny and international pressure.
  • Russia: Investigate Death Threats Against Defender
    Jan 21, 2013
    Press release
    Russian authorities should investigate death threats against Vitalii Ponomarev, the lead Central Asia expert with Memorial Human Rights Center. The investigation should be prompt and comprehensive, and Russia should seek cooperation from Uzbek authorities to ensure its thoroughness.