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Human Trafficking

Ukrainian Prosecutors Say 13 Uzbek Workers Held in “Inhumane Conditions”

Prosecutors in Ukraine say they have detained four members of a human trafficking operation that exploited 13 Uzbek laborers and subjected them to humiliating treatment that included scheduled visits to the toilet. Two Chinese citizens, an Uzbek national and a Ukrainian woman used coercion and deception to recruit vulnerable people with few resources outside Ukraine and move them to the Kyiv region for use in forced work for profit, the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office said on Thursday. Images provided by the office show the farm workers standing in front of greenhouse-like structures covered in plastic tarpaulins in a rural area. Other photos show the cramped, unsanitary conditions in which the men and women lived. “To maintain control, the perpetrators used coercion and restrictions on freedom of movement, which indicates the exploitative nature of their actions,” the Ukrainian prosecutors said. “The victims were humiliated to the extreme: even visits to the toilet were allowed only according to a set schedule, and any minor violation was punished with fines.” Ukrainian authorities said they searched the suspects’ residences and business sites on Wednesday, finding 13 Uzbek citizens who were being held in “inhumane conditions.” Officials from the Uzbek embassy in Ukraine visited the greenhouse facility in the Kyiv region following the publication of reports in Ukrainian media about Uzbek citizens being treated as “slaves,” the embassy said on Friday. “At present, it has been established that all our citizens are safe and in good health, and they have been placed in one of the local hospitals in the Kyiv region to receive the necessary medical treatment,” the embassy said. It said steps are being taken to return the group to Ukraine, while noting that court proceedings are underway against the suspects. In a reference to the war against Russia, the embassy repeated guidance that Uzbek nationals should avoid travel to Ukraine because of safety concerns. Under Ukrainian law, the four suspects could face long prison terms if convicted of human trafficking and other charges. Glavcom, a Ukrainian news agency, said a 51-year-old Chinese citizen with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine was the head of the alleged human trafficking operation. The Uzbek workers were between the ages of 22 and 42 and had been offered high salaries to persuade them to go to Ukraine, an enticement that turned out to be false, according to Glavcom. Once in Ukraine, the Uzbek nationals had to surrender their passports to their employers, the agency reported.

Human rights

Kazakhstan Criminalizes Forced Marriage in Landmark Legal Reform

Kazakhstan has introduced criminal liability for forced marriage for the first time, following the adoption of significant amendments to the country’s criminal legislation. Effective September 16, the reforms formally recognize coercion into marriage as a criminal offense. Penalties range from fines of up to $14,500 and corrective labor, to prison terms of up to 10 years in cases involving serious consequences. “These changes to criminal law are aimed at strengthening the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement. The legislation, titled On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts on the Optimization of Criminal Legislation, also eliminates a loophole in Article 125 of the Criminal Code. Previously, individuals who voluntarily released a kidnapped person could avoid prosecution. That exemption has now been revoked. A new provision, Article 125-1, Coercion to Marry, has been introduced, criminalizing marriages entered into under duress or physical coercion. Penalties are more severe when the victim is a minor, when the crime is committed by a group, or when the perpetrator abuses an official position. Targeting Bride Kidnapping Practices The amendments aim in part to curb the persistent tradition of alyp qashu, the abduction of girls for the purpose of forced marriage. Despite its legal status as a crime, the practice still occurs in parts of the country. Human rights activists have highlighted that alyp qashu often involves physical and psychological abuse, with victims subjected to family pressure. Many are told that refusing to marry would bring shame or misfortune to their relatives. The psychological toll can be profound, leading to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and social withdrawal. On July 16, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the specific criminalization of bride kidnapping. The Mangistau Region Prosecutor’s Office emphasized the importance of consent, stating: “Coercion into marriage is the conclusion of a marriage against a person's will through pressure or violence. Such an act is a gross violation of human rights.” The office also stressed that: “Kidnapping a girl without her consent is not a tradition, but a crime.” The legal reforms are designed to protect vulnerable people, particularly women and adolescents. By increasing penalties for forced marriages, Kazakhstan’s government signals a clear intent to confront deeply rooted practices that undermine basic human rights.

Police

Twelve Years On, Tajikistan’s Police Reform Struggles to Deliver Real Change

Launched in 2013, Tajikistan’s police reform aimed to modernize law enforcement, increase transparency, and build public trust. Twelve years later, while some progress is acknowledged, experts say the main objectives remain largely unfulfilled. Signs of Progress Sadriddin Saidov, chairman of the Sughd regional branch of the Bar Association, notes improved accessibility to law enforcement. “Now citizens can file complaints through hotlines or electronically, which means people can reach out at any time,” he said. In remote areas, mobile police units, minibuses outfitted as service offices, now provide legal consultations and assistance. Gulchehra Kholmatova, Head of the Legal Assistance Group of the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan, said there is increasing dialogue between civil society and the state. NGOs are more frequently invited to discuss human rights issues and, in some cases, are granted access to detention centers. Recent legislative changes have guaranteed detainees access to legal counsel and introduced safeguards against abuse. With international support, Tajik police officers now undergo human rights training aimed at preventing torture. Human rights advocate Larisa Aleksandrova cites specific gains in addressing domestic violence. The number of inspectors focused on preventing family violence has risen from 14 to 22, improving the registration and response to complaints. “The number of appeals to police regarding domestic violence has risen, and case registration has improved,” she said. Where the Reform Falls Short Yet many argue these reforms are more cosmetic than structural. Lawyer Bakhtiyor Nasrulloev contends the process resembles “degradation” rather than progress. “Access to local police stations has become more complicated due to multi-level controls and guards. This creates the impression that the police are distancing themselves from society, not moving closer,” he said. Nasrulloev criticized the reform as superficial, focusing on new uniforms and rebranding without addressing systemic issues. Kholmatova notes that public oversight of detention facilities remains weak, and torture cases often go unpunished. Aleksandrova adds that the reform slogan, “My police protect me,” has yet to become reality. “Nothing changes fundamentally. Even those who want to work honestly are constrained by a rigid system of control and subordination,” she said. Experts point to lingering Soviet-era practices, where success is measured by the number of cases opened rather than investigative quality. For Saidov, a key obstacle is low public engagement. “Reforms will succeed only if citizens actively express their opinions and proposals,” he said. Aleksandrova also highlights insufficient gender sensitivity in police responses to discrimination and domestic violence. What Experts Propose To move forward, Nasrulloev has called for a major restructuring that would separate investigative bodies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and remove them from prosecutorial control. He also suggested making district inspectors and patrol officers accountable to local governments to better address community needs. He recommended merging overlapping departments, including criminal investigations, drug control, and organized crime units, to reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency. Kholmatova highlighted the need for independent monitoring, greater transparency, and training that follows international human rights standards. Aleksandrova proposed mandatory video recordings of interrogations and the...

Human rights

U.S. State Department: No Improvement in Turkmenistan’s Human Rights Record

The U.S. State Department’s annual report on Turkmenistan for 2024 concludes that “no significant changes in the human rights situation in the country have been observed.” Death in Custody and Pressure on Journalists The report cites the death of Allamurat Khudayramov, from Mary region, who reportedly died from torture while in custody. Journalists also remain under pressure. On August 13, former Radio Azatlyk correspondent Khudayberdi Allashov died in Koneurgench. Independent journalist Soltan Achilova reported harassment by authorities in video messages on July 11 and December 10. In November, she was barred from traveling to Geneva for the second time to receive an international award for her human rights work. The government continues to enforce strict media censorship and control of the internet, blocking websites, social media platforms, and VPN services. Security services reportedly summoned citizens who used VPNs for questioning, though more people are finding ways to bypass restrictions. Labor Rights Violations The report details widespread abuses in the workplace. Employers, including state agencies, compelled employees to work 10-hour days or six-day weeks without overtime pay. Many civil servants were required to work Saturdays. Penalties for labor law violations remain light compared with other crimes, and enforcement mechanisms are weak. Only 327 labor inspectors were responsible for monitoring compliance nationwide. The Ministry of Labor reported 2,269 violations as of September 1, 2024. Workers in the cotton industry faced health risks from chemical exposure but could not refuse unsafe tasks without risking dismissal. The report also documents the use of child labor, with children from low-income families engaged in heavy work in markets and agriculture. Restrictions on Freedom and Repression Abroad The organization Show Them Alive! recorded 162 cases of prisoner disappearances. While no new cases were identified in 2024, existing cases remain unresolved. Courts reportedly prevent detainees from challenging their arrest, and families are often unaware of prisoners’ whereabouts. Torture continues to be reported. The State Department also notes Turkmenistan’s involvement in transnational repression. On November 11, Human Rights Watch warned that Turkmen citizens critical of the government face arrest and torture if they return from abroad. Exit bans remain in force: some citizens are prevented from leaving the country even after renewing passports. In August, Turkmen News editor Ruslan Myatiev was denied entry to Turkey, where he was labeled a “threat to national security.” Turkmen activists abroad have also faced detention. Several opposition figures were arrested in Turkey at Ashgabat’s request, with some deported, including Merdan Mukhamedov, who now faces up to 25 years in prison.

Reforms

Insider’s View: From Reform to Rights – Strengthening Uzbekistan’s Legal Foundations

New Uzbekistan is pressing ahead with democratic reforms while pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy, deepening dialogue with the international community, and rolling out reforms that reinforce guarantees for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Within the framework of the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy - now paired with the State Program, “Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy” – the authorities are upgrading legal safeguards and institutional mechanisms aimed at protecting citizens’ rights. As President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated, “The dreams and aspirations of our people, shaped over centuries through diverse ideas and practical endeavors, are today embodied in the concept of New Uzbekistan.” That vision has coincided with rapid socioeconomic change: GDP has topped $110 billion; preschool enrollment has risen sharply since 2017; higher-education participation has climbed from about 9% in 2017 to roughly 42%; and elite public schools - creative, specialized, and presidential - have taken root. Uzbek athletes placed among the top national teams at recent global competitions, and football milestones at both the youth and senior levels have broadened the country’s international profile. Together, these gains bolster Uzbekistan’s status as a sovereign, democratic, legal, social, and secular state, and as a more reliable partner on the global stage. The Pragmatic Diplomacy of New Uzbekistan Against a backdrop of armed conflicts, environmental emergencies, trade frictions, and evolving security threats, Uzbekistan has worked to strengthen peace and regional stability while educating its youth in the spirit of both national and universal values. In recent years, high-level outreach has rebuilt trust with neighbors and helped popularize concepts such as a “Central Asian spirit” and “Central Asian identity.” The March unveiling of a Friendship Stele at the junction of the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan borders symbolized this thaw, while cooperation on transit, water and energy exchanges, and security has become more predictable. A “New Central Asia” is taking shape as a unified transport and logistics space. Mutual trade volumes in the region have multiplied, investment flows have increased, and cross-border ventures have expanded. Major projects—from the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway to rising cargo across the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye corridor—are laying the ground for a trans-continental transit hub. At the same time, Uzbekistan’s convening role has grown. In April 2025, Samarkand hosted the first EU–Central Asia Summit, chaired by President Mirziyoyev and attended by EU leaders and all five Central Asian presidents - an event that elevated ties to a strategic partnership and set a broader agenda on connectivity, critical raw materials, energy, and digital links. Environmental diplomacy has also moved up the agenda. The Samarkand Climate Forum gathered UN deputy secretary generals, heads of major environmental organizations, and experts from dozens of countries, signaling a step-change in the region’s engagement on ecology, desertification, and resilience. The Parliamentary Dimension of New Uzbekistan Tashkent’s rising parliamentary diplomacy culminated in the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held between 5–9 April 2025 - the first of its kind in Central Asia – which brought together some 2,000 parliamentarians from more than 140 countries, plus over 20 international organizations. The proceedings, themed “Parliamentary Action for Social...

Forced Labor

State Workers in Turkmenistan Once Again Forced to Fund Cotton Harvest

As the cotton harvest begins in Turkmenistan, reports from the independent outlet turkmen.news indicates that the annual season is once again marred by forced labor practices. Pay or Work the Fields In Lebap and Mary provinces, state employees, including teachers, doctors, and workers from the Turkmenabat silk production association and a local knitwear factory, are being compelled to contribute financially toward the harvest. The daily levy stands at 30 manats (approximately $1.50). Since August 3, similar demands have reportedly extended to medical and educational staff in Mary province. As in previous years, state workers are frequently presented with a coercive “choice”: pay for a replacement harvester or work in the fields themselves. Some avoid field labor by sending their children in their place. Reform Promises Fall Short In 2024, the Turkmen government, in cooperation with the International Labour Organization, unveiled a roadmap for eradicating forced labor in the cotton industry. The plan outlined key measures to safeguard workers’ rights and address systemic abuses. Despite this, rights groups, including the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, the Progres Foundation, and the Cotton Campaign, warn that little can change while the state maintains total control over the cotton supply chain, from seed distribution to raw cotton procurement. These organizations argue that genuine reform requires guarantees of free speech and the right to organize, allowing citizens to report abuses and form independent trade unions. In reality, however, workplace union leaders are reportedly tasked with collecting money from employees and organizing labor schedules. Experts note that this top-down mobilization underscores the state-driven nature of the system, perpetuating a cycle of coercion rather than addressing its root causes.