VP/HR — Uzbekistan

11.5.2017

Question for written answer E-003278-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE)

Nine months after the death of Islam Karimov, the new Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has made a real effort to reform the country and lift it out of the international isolation imposed upon it during Karimov’s rule. The Uzbek authorities are making promising improvements with regard to freedom of the press.

This month’s launch by presidential decree of a 24-hour news channel and local media experiments with open criticism of the government’s shortcomings can be taken as positive signs that the new Uzbek authorities have begun opening up the country to the outside world. Nevertheless, foreign reporters still do not have unlimited access to the country.

Unfortunately, Uzbekistan continues to have an embarrassing human rights record. Thousands of political prisoners (including dissidents, journalists and civil society leaders) are still being held in Uzbekistan’s jails.

1. What measures will the VP/HR take to force the Uzbek authorities to respect and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Uzbek citizens?

2. How will she facilitate and support the country’s ongoing opening-up process and its democratic reforms?