Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday criticized the announcement of the new EU-Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The agreement describes respect for democratic principles and the preservation of fundamental freedoms as “essential,” yet HRW said that it fails to properly address Uzbekistan’s deteriorating rights record.

Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at HRW, Iskra Kirova, stated:

In signing this agreement without requiring specific improvements to ensure the ability of independent civic groups or media professionals to carry out their work or address the country’s history of impunity for abuses, the EU has missed an important opportunity to bring about positive change.

In recent years, Uzbek authorities have systematically violated fundamental human rights by curbing freedom of expression and prosecuting activists and bloggers on ambiguous and politically driven charges, including allegations of “insulting the president online.” Additionally, authorities have restrained activities of non-governmental organizations with strict state oversight, imposing significant barriers to registration, funding, advocacy, and public policy input.

The freedom of assembly has also been heavily restricted, with security forces using disproportionate and lethal force to disperse peaceful protests in Karakalpakstan, leading to a large number of fatalities and grave injuries. Freedom of expression and assembly rights are outlined under articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

HRW described how peaceful Uzbek lawyer Dauletmurat Tajimuratov was sentenced to a 16-year prison term for participating in a peaceful protest and has been subjected to ill-treatment and torture during his detention. Authorities have denied the allegations of his custodial mistreatment. The UK, US and the EU have called for an independent investigation into his arrest, reflecting ongoing concerns about Uzbekistan’s human rights practices. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, prohibits degrading treatment of prisoners.

While the Uzbek government has taken steps to eliminate forced labor in the cotton sector, other instances of forced labor and restrictions on association for agricultural workers persist. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels to sign the agreement comes amid intensifying engagement between EU and Central Asian countries with the culmination of the landmark EU-Central Asia summit in April 2025. Critics have labeled these commitments superficial, arguing that they seem to prioritize economic gain over human rights.