BRUSSELS — Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed deep concern over the new EU-Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was announced on Wednesday. Despite the agreement's emphasis on democratic principles and fundamental freedoms, HRW criticizes it for not addressing the ongoing human rights violations in Uzbekistan adequately.

Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at HRW, Iskra Kirova, remarked, "In signing this agreement without requiring specific improvements to ensure the ability of independent civic groups or media professionals to carry out their work or address the country’s history of impunity for abuses, the EU has missed an important opportunity to bring about positive change."

Uzbek authorities have been noted for systematically violating human rights, particularly by limiting freedom of expression and persecuting activists and bloggers on vague and politically motivated charges, including accusations of "insulting the president online." Furthermore, the government has imposed stringent state oversight on non-governmental organizations, creating significant obstacles to their registration, funding, advocacy, and public policy involvement.

The suppression extends to the freedom of assembly, with security forces reportedly using excessive and lethal force to break up peaceful protests in Karakalpakstan, resulting in numerous deaths and serious injuries. These actions starkly contravene the rights outlined under articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Highlighting specific cases, HRW mentioned the plight of Uzbek lawyer Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in a peaceful protest. Reports indicate that he has faced ill-treatment and torture while in custody, although authorities deny these claims. This situation has drawn international calls from the UK, US, and EU for an independent investigation into his arrest, underscoring persistent concerns about human rights practices in Uzbekistan.

While the Uzbek government has made some progress, such as efforts to eliminate forced labor in the cotton sector, other forms of forced labor and restrictions on the rights of agricultural workers continue. The signing of the agreement by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Brussels coincides with increasing interactions between EU and Central Asian countries, culminating in the EU-Central Asia summit scheduled for April 2025.

Critics argue that these engagements, while significant, appear to prioritize economic interests over the pressing human rights issues, describing the commitments as superficial. This new agreement, therefore, remains controversial as it seems to sideline fundamental human rights concerns in favor of strengthening economic and political ties between the EU and Uzbekistan.