Highlights
– Status of human rights in Uzbekistan remains poor
– Western powers seek rapprochement with the Uzbek regime
– Human rights groups believe suspension of sanctions equals lack of leverage
In May of 2005, the world watched in horror as the Uzbek government violently suppressed a public demonstration in the city of Andijan (Civil Unrest). Government forces are accused of killing hundreds of unarmed civilians. The event became known as the Andijan massacre and is considered one of the most fervent examples of government repression in recent memory. The Uzbek government claims a group of Islamic militants were trying to foment an uprising against the government. Further, Uzbek authorities insist government actions to put down the uprising were justified. The Uzbek government further claimed that the casualty estimate was grossly exaggerated.
Western Concerns
Although the Western world had always been wary and concerned about Uzbekistan’s human rights track record, these concerns had largely been pushed aside due to Uzbekistan’s geopolitical importance in terms of its solidarity on the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), proximity to Afghanistan including hosting a US airbase in Karshi-Khanabad, energy resources, and interest in moving towards the West. However, the Andijan killings were considered so heinous in worldwide opinion that many Western countries were left with little choice but to condemn the actions of the Uzbek government and call for a full international inquiry into the incident.
Fallout from Andijan
As a result of the Andijan incident, a number of Uzbeks fled the country seeking refuge elsewhere. The Uzbek government immediately started seeking out alleged dissenters and persons they believed were involved in the Andijan incident. Government efforts yielded a number of “show” trials, resulting in at least 250 individuals convicted of charges in relation to Andijan.
Human rights groups believe that even three years later, Uzbek authorities are still trying to stifle the truth about Andijan by further prosecutions and persecution of witnesses and harassment and ostracizing returning refugees.
The West’s relationship with Uzbekistan has seriously deteriorated in the incident’s aftermath. To this end, Uzbek authorities told the United States to leave its airbase in Karshi-Khanabad. Hundreds of Western organizations and companies followed suit, departing the country shortly after. In a show of solidarity, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions against Uzbekistan in response to Andijan. In recent months, during sanction review meetings, EU members have discussed widening the sanctions against Uzbekistan, but two months ago the EU ruled that a freeze on sanctions would be extended a further six months.
Sanctions Freeze and Rapprochement
Two months after the decision to freeze sanctions, many human rights advocates are appalled that the EU can believe that the human rights situation has improved enough to warrant the freezing of sanctions. They believe that without sanctions, the international community stands to lose any previous leverage it had acquired to make the Uzbek government comply with any demands. The EU has claimed that some progress has been made since Andijan towards promoting and protecting in human rights and the rule of law. In addition, a small number of political prisoners have also been released. However, human rights activists point out that Uzbekistan has not acceded to demands for an international inquiry into the events at Andijan, released enough political prisoners, or allowed access and accreditation of humans rights and non-governmental and governmental organizations in the country. Further, international community human rights activists are angered due to the routine persecution of Uzbek activists, journalists, and dissidents who in any way question the government, and individuals connected to Andijan.
Outlook
We can anticipate that the human rights violations, to include the suppression of media freedoms, will continue in the immediate future. It is highly unlikely that the Uzbek government will ever allow an international investigation into the events in Andijan. Therefore there will be little justice for Andijan victims, and it is likely that even more dissidents related to the case will be targeted for prosecution or persecution. In 2007, Uzbek President Islam Karimov was given seven more years in office. The President is well aware that the West is interested in courting his cooperation on more strategic and economic matters. Further, Karimov’s recent moves towards actively engaging both Russia and China may serve to exacerbate already tenuous ties with the West.
