U.S. suspended ban on providing military assistance to Tashkent, in place since 2003, to allow transit of supplies to forces in Afghanistan.

President Karimov 13 Jan warned withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops from Afghanistan will increase terrorist and extremist threat, possibility of prolonged instability throughout region; spoke of need to reform military. Uzbek Jamshid Muhtorov arrested at Chicago airport 25 Jan on charges of planning to fight for terrorist organisation overseas . Former editor of opposition newspaper Erk Muhammad Bekjon, jailed since 1999 on terrorism charges, scheduled to be released from prison mid-Dec, sentenced to another 5 years.

Senate 4 Dec adopted bill to change office term for presidents back to 5 years from current 7 years, in move seen by some as attempt by President Karimov to seek 2 more terms in office. Human Rights Watch 13 Dec criticised country’s rights record, accused Western govts of turning blind eye to abuses.

17 Nov explosion on railroad on Afghan border used by U.S. Northern Distribution Network, believed to be terrorist attack.

U.S. Sec State Clinton 22 Oct met President Karimov in Tashkent, aiming to enlist greater Uzbek assistance in transit of military equipment to and from Afghanistan as 2014 drawdown approaches. Clinton urged greater respect for rights; U.S. officials reported Karimov pledged progress on liberalisation, democratic reforms. European Parliament 4 Oct rejected trade deal facilitating export of Uzbekistan textiles to Europe, citing continued use of child labour to harvest cotton. President Karimov 11 Oct met U.S., German special representatives for Afghanistan and Pakistan, discussed support for Afghan economy.

President Karimov 1 Sept pledged economic, political reforms, democratic renewal. U.S. Congress 22 Sept suspended restrictions on military aid to Uzbekistan. Founder of opposition People’s Movement of Uzbekistan assassinated in Russia 24 Sept. FM Elyor Ganiev 26 Sept told UNGA ethnic tensions between Uzbeks, Kyrgyz will continue until full investigation into 2010 violence in Kyrgyzstan.

12 Uzbek asylum seekers extradited from Kazakhstan on trial for religious extremism charges, alleged membership of Jihadchilar group. Authorities 11 Aug tightened control over internet, blocked several western and Russian news sites.

French court ruled against libel claim brought by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva after online publication described her as “dictator’s daughter”. Authorities 15 July heavily fined Uzbek press secretary of UK Embassy for meeting Uzbek rights activists. Govt raised transit fees for vehicles going to Tajikistan, 4th increase in 6 months, seen to worsen transportation blockade.

Russian President Medvedev reportedly told President Karimov to leave office voluntarily during Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana. U.S. 15 June expressed concern over closure of Human Rights Watch office. Court 23 June jailed 10 suspected members of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ongoing trial of French online publication accused by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva of libel after describing her as “dictator’s daughter” saw disclosure of substantial EU funding to organization run by Karimova.

Yusuf Juma, poet-activist arrested in 2008 for anti-govt writing, released 19 May; Human Rights Watch said at least 13 human rights defenders, “numerous” other govt critics still imprisoned. Rights groups urged German govt to press Uzbekistan on human rights as Deputy FM Norov 24-26 May visited Berlin; visit comes amid recent revelations that Germany paid regime for use of Termez airbase. Govt 18 May announced oil and gas prospect deals with India. Freedom House 2 May named Uzbekistan as one of world’s 10 worst countries for press freedom.