Authoritarian Governments in Central Asia Restrict Free Speech, HRW Reports
Human Rights Watch Report Criticizes Central Asia’s Suppression of Freedoms
According to the highly anticipated World Report for the year 2024 by Human Rights Watch, the authoritarian governments in Central Asia have been strongly criticized for their severe restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly, and other fundamental rights. The report, which spans 740 pages and covers human rights practices in over 100 countries, noted that governments in the region have been arbitrarily locking up government opponents and critics, leading to impunity for serious human rights violations, including torture and domestic violence.
The report also highlighted that Western governments are intensifying their relations with Central Asian countries following Russia’s war on Ukraine. Human Rights Watch sees this as an opportunity for specific advances in human rights. Hugh Williamson, the Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the critical importance of making human rights concerns a central part of the agenda in light of the backtracking or stagnation of human rights in the region.
The report’s Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, acknowledged 2023 as a year of significant human rights suppression and wartime atrocities. However, she also saw signs of hope and the possibility of a different path. Hassan called on governments to consistently uphold their human rights obligations.
The report outlined the specific situations in various Central Asian countries. In Kyrgyzstan, human rights protection and civil liberties have continued to decline due to the systematic stifling of critical voices by authorities. In Tajikistan, the government forced the closure of hundreds of non-governmental organizations, detained bloggers, and limited the activities of religious organizations. Turkmenistan was criticized for its repressive government that tightly controls media and quashes religious and political expression. Uzbekistan experienced a deterioration of its human rights record in 2023, and Kazakhstan failed to ensure accountability for the use of force against protesters.
The report concluded by stressing the importance of Western and Central Asian states bolstering ties and addressing human rights concerns as a central part of the agenda. It also called on Central Asian governments to follow through on promised reforms. The spotlight is now on the international community and the governments of Central Asian countries to take the necessary steps to protect and uphold human rights in the region.
