Activities of Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL related to 2022/2195(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Uzbekistan (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on Uzbekistan
Amendments (49)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the EEAS statement by the Spokesperson on the latest developments in Uzbekistan of 4 July 2022,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
– having regard to the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Tashkent on 15 March 2023,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)
Citation 14 c (new)
– having regard to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) 2021 Election Observation Mission Final Report of 22 April 2022,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas negotiations on European Union-Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), which modernises the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1999, were formally launched on 23 November 2018 and were successfully concluded on 6 July 2022; whereas the EPCA will require Parliament’s consent for it to enter into force; whereas Uzbekistan joined the EU’s GSP+ arrangement in 2021;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas Central Asia is facing one of the most severe water crises on earth, which has seriously limited the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the region; whereas only 57% of the population in Uzbekistan has access to safe drinking water, with rural areas having significantly lower water security than urban areas; whereas agriculture consumes more than 90% of Uzbekistan’s water; whereas the water flowing through the Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers, which provide much of Uzbekistan’s water supply, is expected to decrease by up to 15% by 2050; whereas Uzbekistan's intensive cotton industry and its associated water usage majorly contribute the growing water crisis; whereas since the collapse of the Soviet Union and its unitary water management system, tensions over water have repeatedly sparked conflicts in Central Asia;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes Uzbekistan's efforts to eradicate the worst forms of child labor and sexual exploitation by bringing its legislation into compliance with international standards and introducing more adequate penalties for individuals who commit such crimes; commends the elimination of systemic child labor in the cotton harvest but expresses concern on still widespread individual cases in the cotton industry and beyond where children occasionally are still used as labor force; urges Uzbekistan government to make data on child labor more transparent for all stakeholders and allow registration of NGOs working on the issue of forced labor, child labor and exploitation;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the security and stability of the Central Asia region are greatly affected by water disputes; notes that climate change in Central Asia has affected water resources and intense human activities have led to water overexploitation; whereas reckless water mismanagement and pollution of the key rivers to irrigate cotton fields, started by the Soviet regime and largely continued in the modern times, has had catastrophic consequences for the basin of the Aral Sea encompassing six countries of the region, has resulted in almost complete disappearance of the Aral Sea and many of its sub-lakes, and exposed the vulnerable population of the area to disastrous health, ecological, and social problems; whereas frequent water conflicts and political instability have limited unified planning and efficient allocation of transboundary rivers, leading to the ineffective exploitation and utilisation of water resources in the region;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas Uzbekistan suffered serious and unprecedented energy shortages during the 2022-2023 winter leaving large parts of the country without heating and electricity and contributing to decreasing public confidence in the state’s administration;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes that after years of intense policy advocacy and campaigning, led by Uzbek and international civil society, state-imposed forced labour is no longer systematically used in the cotton harvest; is concerned that independent monitoring shows that human rights risks, including individual cases of forced labour, remain in the cotton industry; is concerned that independent groups that conduct field level monitoring and capacity building are unable to register and operate freely; calls on Uzbekistan to introduce broader reforms to empower civil society and develop effective institutions to provide transparency and accountability and consolidate progress across all parts of the cotton sector;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the Uzbek parliament’s lower house has set 30 April 2023 as the date for the referendum on constitutional reforms after a postponement due to the 2022 crisis in Karakalpakstan; whereas amendments presented in the referendum set to change about two-thirds of the constitution; whereas the referendum will ask citizens whether to “nullify” President Mirziyoev’s previous and current terms, allowing him to run for another two consecutive terms and to extend the duration of a presidential term to seven years, clearing the path to a Mirziyoev presidency until 2040; whereas promised legal reforms have stalled, including the revision of the Criminal Code and a new NGO code;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the importance of Uzbekistan’s membership of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus, which contributes to economic growthsustainable development and economic diversification and yields very positive results (exports to the EU increased by 34 % in 2021); underlines that joining this arrangement entails a commitment to effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental and climate protection and good governance; calls on the Commission to prioritise the impact of the upcoming constitutional referendum in its ongoing monitoring of Uzbekistan’s GSP+ obligations, as well the decriminalisation of homosexuality; calls on Uzbekistan to uphold its commitments to effectively implement ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and encourages the ratification of the ILO Minimum Wage Fixing Convention (No. 131);
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas protests erupted in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 July 2022 following the publication of the proposed amendments to Uzbekistan’s constitution, which would have abolished its status as a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan and its right to secede; whereas at least 21 people were killed, and over 270 were injured, in the ensuing crackdown by the authorities; whereas human rights groups have documented that law enforcement officers used excessive force in response to the largely peaceful demonstrations, leading to serious injuries, unlawful deaths of multiple participants and reportedly torture and ill-treatment of some detainees; whereas 22 people were sentenced on 13 January 2023 for their participation in the unrest and Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, a lawyer accused of leading the unrest, was sentenced to 16 years in prison; whereas on 17 FebruaryMarch 2023, the trial startedsecond trial against another 39 people charged with participating in the protests ended with lengthy prison sentences of up to 11 years; whereas in November 2022, the Prosecutor General’s office said that 171 people in total were under arrest facing criminal charges in connection with the events;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas Uzbekistan is ranked as ‘not free’ in 2022 Freedom House’s 2023 Freedom in the World and 2022 Freedom on the Net rankings and is ranked 133rd out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 World Freedom of the Press Index, which is an improvement from 157th position in 2021, though the country’s overall score decreased;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, consensual same-sex conduct between men is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison; whereas this law not only violates the human rights of gay and bisexual men, but also has a harmful impact on the broader LGBTIQ community, making it challenging for them to live their lives freely and openly; whereas the criminalisation of same-sex relations between men in Uzbekistan creates a hostile and discriminatory environment, further marginalising LGBTIQ people and hindering their ability to access basic rights and services;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that owing to the lack of direct access to seaports, developing infrastructure and logistics corridors, in particular the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, is crucially important for trade and for connecting Uzbekistan with the markets of potential trading partners;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas in March 2020, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance with the International covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expressed concern about “continued reports of torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence and rape, by prison officials and law enforcement personnel against persons deprived of liberty, including individuals detained on what appear to be politically motivated charges”;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas in January 202, the UNHR Committee against Torture reported that “torture and ill-treatment continue to be routinely committed by, at the instigation of and with the consent of the State party’s law enforcement, investigative and prison officials, principally for the purpose of extracting confessions or information to be used in criminal proceedings”; whereas President Mirziyoyev’s promises to address the root causes of torture in state custody have led to the adoption of some positive measures such as legislation stipulating that evidence obtained under torture is not admissible in court; whereas these legal safeguards are not implemented consistently and cases of torture are typically not properly investigated by the authorities; whereas detainees often refrain from lodging complaints for fear of reprisals;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, consensual same-sex conduct between men is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison; whereas this law not only violates the human rights of gay and bisexual men, but it also has a harmful impact on the broader LGBTI community, making it challenging for them to live their lives freely and openly; whereas the criminalisation of same-sex relations between men in Uzbekistan creates a hostile and discriminatory environment, further marginalising LGBTI people and hindering their ability to access basic rights and services;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Uzbek government publicly claims that there are over 10,000 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) currently operating in Uzbekistan, while civil rights groups indicate that a majority of these organisations are in fact government-organised non-governmental organisations (GONGOs);
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that Uzbekistan joined the EU’s GSP+ arrangement in 2021; reiterates that joining this arrangement entails a commitment to effective implementation of the 27 core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental and climate protection and good governance; calls on the Commission to take into account the impact of the upcoming constitutional referendum in its ongoing monitoring of Uzbekistan’s GSP+ obligations; reiterates its call for decriminalisation of homosexuality to be a requirement for participating in the GSP schemes;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the ambitious reforms planned under the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, which purportedly aims to achieve genuine change in the country in socioeconomic development, efficient administration and respect for human rights; stresses that the constitutional reform is an opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and to give the reforms a solid legal foundation; calls on the authorities of Uzbekistan to continue this process in consultation with citizens and stakeholders, including the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe , based on international norms and best practices;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that after years of intense policy advocacy and campaigning, led by Uzbek and international civil society, state-imposed forced labour is no longer systematically used in the cotton harvest; stresses that independent monitoring shows that human rights risks, including individual cases of forced labour, remain in the cotton industry; is concerned that independent groups that conduct field level monitoring and capacity building are unable to register and operate freely, putting progress at risk; calls on Uzbekistan to introduce broader reforms to empower civil society and develop effective institutions to provide transparency and accountability across all parts of the cotton sector;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on Uzbekistan to uphold its commitments to implement ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and to ratify the ILO Minimum Wage Fixing Convention (No. 131); urges the Commission to urge Uzbekistan to implement broader labour reforms and uphold international labour and human rights standards in all aspects of life within the context of its ongoing engagement with Uzbekistan under the GSP+ arrangement;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Uzbekistan is uniquely positioned to be the driving force for regional cooperation that would help Central Asia become a more resilient, prosperous and more closely interconnected economic and political space; encourages the EU to intensify its political engagement with Central Asia in line with its geostrategic importance and in keeping with the values of democracy, human rights and rule of law that underpin EU external action; underlines the great potential of mutually beneficial cooperation on sustainable connectivity, in particular through its Global Gateway on initiative, on energy and security;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its implications present both challenges and opportunities for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, which have traditionally maintained close relations with Russia; noteregrets that Uzbekistan abstained in the votes on the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, in particular those of 2 March 2022, 24 March 2022 and 23 February 2023 demanding an end to the Russian offensive and immediate withdrawal from Ukraine; notes that Uzbekistan opposed the expulsion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on 7 April 2022; notes the commitment of the political leadership of Uzbekistan not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia; calls on the Commission to ensure that the 11th package of sanctions against Russia addresses sanction circumvention via Central Asia, noting the sharp rise in trade between the countries in this region and the Russian Federation since last year;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes Uzbekistan’s long-standing and close relations with Afghanistan, which have continued after the takeover by Taliban; regrets Uzbekistan’s efforts to integrate the Taliban into the international system and normalise their regime through international engagement events held in Tashkent; commends its efforts to mitigate the severe humanitarian crisis in the country through the provision of humanitarian aid and electricity; invites Uzbekistan to use its contacts with the Taliban and through the establishment of the Termez UNHCR Regional Humanitarian Logistics Hub near the Uzbek-Afghan border in October 2021; regrets the lack of human rights conditionality as part of German investments in the development of Termez Airport; invites Uzbekistan to use its contacts with the Taliban to insist on the rights and humanity of women and girls to be respected and more generally to call for respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, in particular women, girls andcluding minorities, which are essential conditions for greater international engagement with Afghanistan; reiterates its strong condemnation of the Taliban’s decisions to ban women and girls from attending secondary and university education and to prohibit the employment of women with non-governmental organisations;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that Uzbekistan is currently hosting several thousand Afghan refugees, but is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, creating difficulties for a long-term solution for Afghans in Uzbekistan; calls in this regard on the Uzbek government to urgently sign and ratify the convention;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Welcomes the collaboration between the EU and Uzbekistan on providing children, youth and families who were forced to flee Afghanistan with UNICEF support including through inclusive education, social services and legal aid; calls on the Member States and EEAS to engage with Uzbekistan on assisting women who try to flee Afghanistan;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes Uzbekistan’s growing role in regional water diplomacy, in particular in improving its relations with Kyrgyzstan in this regard; is highly concerned about the persisting risk of further ecological crises in the region and emphasises the need for a stronger focus on mitigating these risks as part of Uzbekistan’s regional water diplomacy; stresses the importance of improving regional relations in the context of water as research has shown that the water crisis in Central Asia is not caused by a shortage of total water resources but by water allocation practices; highlights that reconciling conflicts, including concerning water distribution, is crucial for achieving long-term regional stability and achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission and EEAS to assist Uzbekistan in water diplomacy and cooperation with its neighboring countries, particularly with Kazakhstan as well as to provide Uzbekistan and its relevant neighbors with the technical and financial assistance needed for restoring the collapsed ecosystems of the Aral Sea and its basin by increasing water flow in order to decrease salinity, improving irrigation canals, and helping to introduce crops requiring less water and toxins;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls on the Commission and EEAS to increase efforts contributing to the development of renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan in line with the SDGs and in view of preventing future crises due to shortages of fossil fuels; welcomes successful UNDP projects that have developed energy efficient and low carbon housing in Uzbekistan that withstood the energy crisis and calls on the Uzbek authorities to contribute to expanding these efforts and extend them also to existing housing;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. RCondemns the repression and violence against Karakalpak people and regrets the loss of life during protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 1 and 2 July 2022; calls on the authorities to investigate the actions of the security services that led to deaths and injuries among the protesters and calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice; calls for the independence and transparency of the judicial process to be ensured in the cases linked to the protests; welcomes the Uzbek authorities’ commitment to maintaining the current constitutional status of Karakalpakstaninsists on people’s right to freedom of assembly, the right to freedom of association and the right to freedom of speech; calls on the authorities to establish a genuinely independent, impartial, and effective investigation events, including into deaths and severe injuries that occurred and the actions taken by the security forces, including the weapons they used; calls on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice; welcomes the Uzbek authorities’ commitment to maintaining the current constitutional status of Karakalpakstan; calls to Uzbekistan authorities to ensure access to Karakalpakstan for journalists and international human rights organisations;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets that Karalkalpak protesters have been convicted and sentenced to long jail terms; calls for an independent investigation into all allegations of torture reported by defendants during the trials linked to the protests, as well as into the death of Polat Shamshetov who died days after being convicted; calls for a retrial in those cases where there was a clear lack of evidence; calls for charges of plotting to seize power by disruption the constitutional order to be dropped since protesters were calling for the constitution to be upheld; calls for the release of all political prisoners, including those arrested during the Karalkalpakstan protests, as well as the thousands of others in prison on politically motivated charges;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Expresses concern at reports of transnational repression by Uzbekistan targeting diaspora Karakalpaks in the aftermath of the July 2022 protests, as Karakalpak activists have been arrested in or forcibly deported from other countries;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Notes the upcoming constitutional referendum slated for 30 April 2023; calls on the Uzbek authorities to ensure a free and fair vote and to allow international observation at the referendum; calls on the Uzbek authorities to ensure that voters are adequately informed about the significant amendments to the constitution proposed in the referendum, including the extension of the president’s mandate; seconds the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who stated during his recent visit to Uzbekistan that it is vital that pledges by the authorities to act on human rights are translated into action on the ground;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Welcomes Uzbekistan's efforts to eradicate the worst forms of child labor and sexual exploitation by bringing the legislation into full compliance with international standards and increasing punishments for individuals who commit such crimes; commends the elimination of systemic child labor in the cotton harvest but expresses concern on widespread individual cases in the cotton industry and beyond where children occasionally are still used as labor force; calls on Uzbekistan authorities to continue efforts on raising awareness of child labor in the society and enforce prohibitions; urges Uzbekistan government to make data on child labor more transparent for all stakeholders and allow registration of NGOs working on the issue of forced labor, child labor and exploitation;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the important role that civil society can play in supporting effective and inclusive reforms and good governance; regrets the significant barriers to NGO registration ands several independent CSOs have repeatedly been denied registration on grounds that appear to be politically motivated; regrets the obligations imposed on NGOs receiving foreign funding by the Regulation on Coordination Between Non- Governmental Non-Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities in the Implementation of International Grant Projects approved by Decree No 328 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan on 13 June 2022, which shrink the space for civil society activities and impede the exercise of the freedom of association; calls on Uzbekistan to bring legislation, regulations and practices on the registration, operation and funding of CSOs into line with international standards and allow CSOs to register in a simple, transparent procedure and carry out their activities without undue state interference; calls on the Uzbek government to respect freedom of association by allowing independent human rights organisations, including international human rights groups, to register in the country;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Uzbek authorities to implement the recommendations from the ODIHR 2021 Election Observation Mission Final Report, including to revise legislative and administrative requirements for the registration of political parties and to establish clear separation between state and party along with effective sanctions against the misuse of administrative resources;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need to ensure respect for the rights of journalists, independent bloggers and human rights defenders and their protection against harassment, pressure and threats and to investigate any attacks against them; calls for the release of journalists, independent bloggers and human rights defenders, including those from Karakalpakstan, who were prosecuted for their work; notes in this regard the specific cases of bloggers Otobek Sattoriv, Miraziz Bazarov, Fazilhoja Arifhojaev, as well as Karakalpak journalist Lolagul Kallykhanova, and others including Sobirjon Babaniyazov and Valijon Kalonov;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Uzbek authorities to withdraw a draft Information Code, published on 14 December 2022, that, if adopted, would violated freedom of expression, including media freedom, and includes discriminatory provisions against “promoting same-sex relations, which would only worsen the stigma and discrimination faced by LGBTQ people in Uzbekistan;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Stresses to importance of refraining from limiting or blocking websites to cases where such limitation is in line with international standards, is based on objective and transparent criteria defined in law, and is content- specific, while making sure the public is duly informed;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Condemns the ongoing use of torture in detention in Uzbekistan and calls for legal safeguards to be implemented consistently and proper investigations of all reports of torture;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that despite the adoption of a number ofWelcomes the bill on gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual abuse of minors, adopted by the Uzbek Senate on 6 April 2023 and signed by President Mirziyoyev on 11 April 2023 as a significant step towards the complete criminalisation of domestic violence in accordance with international standards; recognises in this regard the years of advocacy conducted by Uzbek women’s rights activists;notes that despite the adoption of previous laws, including the Law on Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence of 2019, gender- based violence against women remains widespread; regrets that domestic violence is not defined or specifically criminalised in Uzbekistan’s legislationcalls for all laws concerning gender-based violence to be effectively implemented and enforced by the authorities in all regions of Uzbekistan;; calls on the authorities to take additional measures to bring ensureUzbekistan into linefully complies with its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as indicated in the concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Uzbekistan by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; calls on Uzbek authorities to work with civil society organisations and international partners to address these issues;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, that consensual same-sex sexual relations between men remain criminalised and is deeply worried about the prevalence of intimidation, harassment, violence and stigma against LGBTIQ people in the country; urges the authorities of Uzbekistan to decriminalise same-sex sexual conduct by repealing article 120 of the criminal code, in line with the ICCPR, to exclude any provisions criminalising same-sex conduct from its new criminal code and to adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected grounds;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Emphasises that women’s active participation in public and political life, especially at the senior and decision making levels, should be facilitated by means of comprehensive legal, institutional, and educational initiatives and that political parties should be encouraged to facilitate women’s political advancement, increase visibility of women during electoral campaigns, and integrate gender issues into their platforms;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses that LGBTI people in Uzbekistan are at constant risk of serious human rights violations without any possible recourse to justice and face significant challenges and discrimination, particularly regarding the criminalisation of same-sex relations between men; condemns the fact that in 2021 at least 36 individuals were convicted under Article 120 of the Criminal Code that criminalises homosexuality, of whom 26 were sentenced to prison terms; condemns the use of humiliation, torture, including forced anal examination by the authorities, and threats of persecution under Article 120 by police officers; condemns the practice that Uzbek police have access to confidential medical information of LGBTI people registered at HIV treatment centres that is used to blackmail, threaten or persecute individuals; also calls on Uzbekistan to revise plans for a new law, proposed in August 2022, requiring compulsory medical examination of so-called “dangerous groups”, namely men who have sex with men, sex workers, and drug users, to test for HIV;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Urges the Uzbek authorities to review the Article 120 of the Criminal Code in line with ICCPR in order to end the criminalisation of same sex relations between consenting adult men; calls on the Uzbek government to work towards creating a inclusive and accepting society where the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics, are respected and protected;