UN Photo/D.Ferre Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has published its conclusions on the situation in Uzbekistan Human rights
On Monday, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination published its findings on the situation in a number of countries, including Uzbekistan.
Experts expressed concern about the lack of transparency and accountability regarding human rights violations related to protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan in July 2022. They noted that the relevant report of the parliamentary commission, submitted to the Parliament (Oliy Majlis) of Uzbekistan in December 2024, has still not been published. The committee asked Uzbekistan to investigate reports of violations and abuses against members of the Karakalpak ethnic group during and after the protests, including unlawful killings, racially motivated excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment.
Experts call for those responsible to be brought to justice, for adequate remedies to be provided to victims and their families, and for the parliamentary commission’s report to be made public.
Committee members also expressed concern that, Development projects have reportedly led to forced evictions of ethnic minorities, in particular the Roma community. However, they do not receive adequate compensation and have limited access to judicial and administrative remedies. The Committee called on Uzbekistan to stop housing demolitions and forced evictions affecting ethnic minorities. In cases where eviction or demolition cannot be avoided, people should receive alternative housing and compensation, as well as access to effective legal remedies, experts stressed.