HRW says rights situation ‘worsening’ in Central Asia

Human Rights Watch criticised the “worsening” rights situation in Central Asia in a report published this week, saying the region’s five ex-Soviet countries had all jailed dissenters and ramped up control on journalists in 2024.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan all have authoritarian governments.

Turkmenistan is the most reclusive and is one of the most closed countries in the world.

“In 2024, authorities across Central Asia ramped up intimidation, harassment, and prosecution of critical activists and journalists,” Human Rights Watch quoted its Europe and Central Asia director, Hugh Williamson, as saying.

“As more and more Central Asian activists are thrown in jail for simply exercising their right to freedom of speech or peaceful opposition activism, it is increasingly important to call attention to their plight and press for their release,” he added.

In a more than 500-page long report published Thursday, the rights group said all five Central Asian states had increased repressive practises in 2024.

It called on the countries to “release wrongfully imprisoned activists and journalists”.

All five countries are at the bottom of a press freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders.