Uzbekistan

Also available in: Français Español عربي

Spotlight: Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law

Uzbekistan releases its last remaining jailed journalists: Bobomurod Abdullaev and Hayot Nasriddinov

8 May 2018
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

The journalists were arrested on charges of 'conspiracy to overthrow' the regime; Nasriddinov was acquitted of all charges, Abdullaev was found guilty of "extremism" and given a three-year suspended sentence.

Uzbekistan Digital Rights Censorship

Uzbekistan: Journalists prosecuted, tortured, harassed

Despite some encouraging signs that the president might be in favour of some press freedom, journalists continue to be targeted.

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)‎28 March 2018

Uzbekistan Attacks Free Expression & the Law

Uzbekistan releases world's longest jailed journalist Yusuf Ruzimuradov

Yusuf Ruzimuradov was released in late February after serving 19 years in jail on 'anti-state' charges.

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)‎ 5 March 2018

Uzbekistan Attacks Free Expression & the Law

Uzbekistan must release journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev and investigate torture allegations

Uzbek authorities must ensure an impartial investigation into the alleged torture of detained journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev; he and other journalists jailed for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression should be freed immediately.

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ARTICLE 19, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW)‎15 February 2018

Latest from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan urged to unconditionally release independent journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev

‎ PEN International

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 10 October 2017
Uzbekistan: UN staffer free after 11 years

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Uzbekistan 16 August 2017
Russia: Journalist faces expulsion to Uzbekistan

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Russia Free Expression & the Law 3 August 2017
Imprisoned dissident dies in custody in Uzbekistan

‎ Human Rights Watch

Access to Information Uzbekistan Attacks 25 June 2017
Uzbek political prisoner free after 19 years

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 23 February 2017
One of world's longest-imprisoned journalists now placed in solitary confinement

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Censorship Free Expression & the Law 19 December 2016
Karimov's legacy of repression will live on

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Attacks Freedom of Assembly 8 September 2016
Uzbekistan: Eleven years after Andijan massacre, human rights situation remains dire

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Freedom of Assembly 13 May 2016
Going to Central Asia? Make the trip count

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan 31 March 2016
Uzbek activist freed after 21 Years

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan 23 November 2015
Activists beaten, detained for documenting forced labour in cotton fields

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Attacks Censorship 24 September 2015
Impunity persists 10 years after massacre left hundreds dead

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Attacks Freedom of Assembly 15 May 2015
Uzbekistan: Hayrullo Hamidov, prominent journalist and independent religious figure, freed

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 18 February 2015
Uzbekistan must probe prison death and release political prisoners

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan 19 December 2014
Uzbekistan: Prison, torture for human rights activists, journalists

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Attacks Free Expression & the Law 26 September 2014
Critically ill activist freed in Uzbekistan

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 6 June 2014
Uzbekistan: Andijan massacre case not 'closed'

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Freedom of Assembly 12 May 2014
Uzbekistan: Dissident photographer and filmmaker Umida Akhmedova "ruining the constitution"

‎ Index on Censorship

Uzbekistan Censorship Free Expression & the Law 23 April 2014
Uzbekistan called upon to free political prisoners and end torture

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan Attacks 6 December 2013
Uzbek environmental journalist missing after calling to say he was arrested

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 24 September 2013
Anti-corruption Uzbek activist faces eight years in jail

‎ Human Rights Watch

Uzbekistan 16 September 2013
Uzbek journalist's health deteriorates in prison

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Uzbekistan 26 June 2013
Eight years on, still no justice for victims of massacre in Uzbekistan

‎ Human Rights Watch

Impunity Uzbekistan Freedom of Assembly 14 May 2013
Uzbek writer released after over 14 years in prison

‎ PEN International

Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 23 April 2013
Human rights policies in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan to undergo review

‎ Human Rights Watch

Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Free Expression & the Law 21 April 2013
14 years and counting: Action to free Uzbek writer

‎ Writers in Prison Committee, PEN International

Free Expression & the Law 4 April 2013

At a glance

Most covered free expression issues in this country

More from Uzbekistan

"You Can't See Them, but They're Always There" - Censorship and Freedom of the Media in Uzbekistan

A key indicator of whether Uzbekistan’s still-authoritarian government’s reforms are genuine and will be ultimately successful is in the media sphere and the core right of free speech.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) 28 March 2018
Freedom on the Net 2017: Uzbekistan

The government introduced a new online portal allowing citizens to channel public grievances and prompting greater citizen engagement

Freedom House 16 November 2017
Freedom of the Press 2016: Uzbekistan

At least three prominent human rights activists were detained and in two cases physically abused for attempting to photograph or otherwise document the country’s cotton harvest, in which the state compels citizens to engage in forced labor each year.

Freedom House 24 April 2016

Freedom on the Net 2015: Uzbekistan

Hackers leak confidential information revealing identities of Uznews journalists, publication closes after 10 years of reporting

Freedom House 31 October 2015

Freedom of the Press 2015: Uzbekistan

Ranked 197th in annual global media freedom report

Freedom House 1 May 2015

Enemies of the Internet 2014: Uzbekistan

"Welcome to digital tyranny"

Reporters Without Borders 12 March 2014

Attacks on the Press in 2013: Uzbekistan

"Authorities continue targeting journalists, human rights activists"

Committee to Protect Journalists 11 February 2014

World Press Freedom Index 2014: Uzbekistan

Ranked 166th in annual press freedom index

Reporters Without Borders 1 February 2014

World Report 2014: Uzbekistan

"Authorities block international rights groups and media from operating"

Human Rights Watch 22 January 2014

Freedom of the Press 2013: Uzbekistan

Ranked 195th in annual global media freedom report

Freedom House 1 May 2013

Uzbekistan: Kerry Should Raise Rights Abuses at Talks

In the last year, Uzbek authorities intensified their crackdown on civil society, placing human rights activists under house arrest and incommunicado detention for peaceful civic activism, extending the prison sentences of peaceful opposition figures without due process, and deporting international journalists who attempt to visit the country.

Human Rights Watch 7 March 2013