Uzbek government - The Times Of Central Asia

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Migration

Uzbekistan Responds After Migrant Taxi Driver Insulted in Moscow

A video filmed in the Moscow region has sparked public outrage after a Russian man verbally assaulted a taxi driver from Uzbekistan, calling him a “slave of Russians.” According to Minval, the incident took place in the courtyard of a residential complex in the town of Khimki, where the resident told the driver that he was “not at home” and had come to Russia “because there is nothing in Uzbekistan.” The footage has triggered a wave of discussion in both Russia and Uzbekistan, where labor migration remains a vital economic issue. In response, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, without directly referencing the video, reaffirming that all Uzbek citizens are under the protection of the state, regardless of their location. “The Republic of Uzbekistan, in accordance with its Constitution, national legislation, and international obligations, has a duty to safeguard the rights, freedoms, and dignity of its citizens abroad,” the ministry stated. Authorities also urged Uzbeks whose rights are violated abroad to immediately report incidents to local law enforcement and to seek assistance from Uzbek diplomatic missions or consulates. “Protecting the rights and interests of our citizens abroad is a key priority of our state policy,” the ministry emphasized. The incident comes amid broader policy shifts in Russia concerning foreign nationals. Starting September 1, authorities in Moscow and the surrounding region will roll out a new digital monitoring system for migrants. According to the Multifunctional Migration Center in Sakharovo, citizens from Central Asia and other countries will be required to install a mobile application called Amina, which will manage functions such as residence registration, address changes, and work permit payments.

Human rights

Uzbekistan Rejects UN Allegations in Gulnara Karimova Case

The government of Uzbekistan has formally rejected allegations by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the case of Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of the country’s late president, Islam Karimov. The UN body had earlier declared that Karimova’s 2014 detention was arbitrary and lacked a legal basis. In a response published by Uzbekistan’s National Center for Human Rights, the government asserted that all criminal proceedings against Karimova were conducted in full compliance with national legislation and international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “The government is concerned that the Working Group formed its opinion based on one-sided and subjective information provided by the source, while Uzbekistan’s official response was not taken into account due to procedural deadlines,” the statement read. “This approach undermines the principles of impartiality that UN bodies must observe.” Legal Process and Rights of the Defendant According to the statement, Karimova had access to legal counsel throughout the legal process. She retained the right to choose or be appointed a lawyer, to review case materials, to appeal court decisions, and to consult privately with her legal representative. The government rejected claims that she had been subjected to extended house arrest without due process or that she faced a so-called “kitchen trial.” Officials maintained that all procedures and hearings were held lawfully. “At present, she has the right to appeal court decisions as provided by law,” the statement noted. Authorities also dismissed any suggestion that the prosecution was politically motivated. “All actions by law enforcement and judicial authorities were based solely on legal and factual grounds confirming the defendant’s guilt, and were unrelated to her economic activities, political status, or views,” the statement read. Karimova was convicted of tax evasion, money laundering, illegal appropriation of state property, fraud, and other serious crimes. According to the government, these actions resulted in significant financial losses to the state. Officials stated that all verdicts were supported by evidence and issued by competent courts. International Cooperation and Asset Repatriation The statement also drew attention to the 2022 agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland to establish the Vision 2030 Fund, financed by assets previously associated with Karimova. The fund supports Uzbekistan’s national reform agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is administered through the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. In closing, the government reaffirmed its commitment to international human rights obligations and expressed its willingness to maintain constructive dialogue with UN mechanisms. “The government reserves the right to defend its reputation in international institutions and to convey reliable information to all interested parties,” the statement concluded.

Justice

Uzbekistan Wins Arbitration Case Against Turkish Textile Company

On October 10, 2024, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) announced its decision in the case between Turkish company Bursel Tekstil Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. and Uzbekistan. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice, the tribunal rejected all claims made by Bursel Tekstil. The dispute began in July 2017, when Bursel Tekstil accused the Uzbek government of breaching promises related to cotton pricing and tax policies, actions the company claimed had led to its bankruptcy. Bursel Tekstil sought approximately $700 million in compensation. However, the tribunal ruled in favor of Uzbekistan and ordered Bursel Tekstil to cover the country's legal costs. Bursel Tekstil had invested in Uzbekistan’s textile industry in the early 2000s, helping to build a textile plant in Tashkent with funding from the OPEC Fund for International Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. By 2011, the company operated three factories in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan was represented in the arbitration by the Ministry of Justice and the American law firm White & Case. Under ICSID rules, the tribunal’s decision is final and binding. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported on another ICSID decision in May 2024, ordering the return of four resorts in Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan. In that case, Uzbekistan successfully argued that Kyrgyzstan had violated a 1992 agreement among former Soviet Union countries, which stipulates that property belonging to one country but located on the territory of another remains the property of the original owner.