• Press Release

President Trump Must Urge Uzbekistan to Implement Overdue Human Rights Reforms

May 15, 2018

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan is visiting the White House for the first time this week. He will meet with President Trump to discuss issues such as trade and investment, as well as regional security.

Margaret Huang, executive director at Amnesty International USA, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to raise human rights concerns with President Mirziyoyev.

The letter reads, in part:

“Since coming to power in 2016, President Mirziyoyev has introduced a number of wide-ranging political and economic reform proposals, designed to end past isolationist and repressive policies. The government’s release of multiple imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, including last week’s release of Bobomurod Abdullayev, has been welcomed by Amnesty.

“Nonetheless, President Mirziyoyev must do more to protect Uzbekistanis’ human rights, including guaranteeing freedom of movement, implementing prohibitions against torture, protecting freedom of religion and protecting the rights of LGBTI people.”

Amnesty International experts are available for further comment. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.