Govt brought forward 2021 presidential election while arrest of blogger prompted international criticism. President Mirziyoev 8 Feb signed into law bill, proposed by parliament in Jan, that rescheduled presidential, parliamentary and local elections, formerly held every five years on first Sunday of last ten days in December, to first Sunday of last ten days in October; move implies next polls now scheduled on 24 Oct 2021. NGO Human Rights Watch 12 Feb condemned 30 Jan arrest of video blogger Otabek Sattoriy, calling extortion case against him “dubious”, said Sattoriy’s coverage of sensitive issues put him in “local authorities’ crosshairs”; UK ambassador 5 Feb said if no credible evidence presented, Sattoriy’s case is “concerning” and “undermines media freedom”, while UN resident coordinator in Uzbekistan 10 Feb said in a tweet UN “welcomes the call for fair & impartial application of the law in respect to this case”.

Trial on deadly security incident at dam last year proceeded; video surfaced showing small-scale protest in Fergana region. Tashkent City Court 5 Jan resumed closed-door trial of May 2020 incident at Sardoba dam, which left six people dead and forced 70,000 people to flee their homes in eastern region of Sirdaryo; trial, which started 21 Dec, involved 17 defendants, including officials of state railway company and construction company, accused of negligence, abuse of office, violation of safety regulations and other offenses. NGO Human Rights Watch 7 Jan said authorities are “severely hindering the work of independent nongovernmental organizations” due to “excessive and burdensome registration requirements”, and called on govt to amend its legislation and allow independent groups to register. Video 13 Jan surfaced apparently showing dozens of people blocking road to protest power cuts in Altyaryk district in far-eastern Fergana region; protesters reportedly dispersed after state officials arrived and promised to resolve energy supply issues. 

Regional court launched trial of people involved in violent unrest in Sokh exclave in May. Ferghana regional court in east 9 Nov started trial of 22 people on charges of blocking officials from carrying out security duties; defendants were involved in mass unrest in Sokh exclave within neighbouring Kyrgyzstan in May, where clashes between Sokh and Kyrgyz Kadamjai district residents over water dispute left several injured.

Construction workers stormed gas company offices in anger over unpaid salaries. Thousands of workers 21 Oct protested at Enter Engineering gas plant administrative offices in southern Qashqadaryo region over unpaid wages. In response, authorities reportedly deployed security forces, while prosecutor general’s press secretary said incident would be investigated; company 22 Oct said worker salaries had been paid. Two former political prisoners, Chuyan Mamatqulov and Elyor Tursunov, early Oct filed unprecedented lawsuit demanding govt compensation for “unjust convictions” and harm caused during detention in notorious Jaslyk prison in north west; prison was closed in 2019 following public outcry at abusive practices and reports of torture; Qashqadaryo regional court 9 Oct ruled govt should compensate Mamatqulov for illegal imprisonment.

Deputy PM died from COVID-19 complications. U.S. state dept 5 Sept expressed concern over fate of Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev, extradited to capital Tashkent from Kyrgyzstan in Aug, calling on govt to “clarify the allegations against him as well as the next steps”. Swiss govt 11 Sept announced agreement with Uzbek authorities over return of $130m confiscated in 2012 from daughter of late Uzbek President Karimov, Gulnara Karimova, in connection with international corruption case; non-binding agreement states returned assets should be “used for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan”; 13 Uzbek rights activists 16 Sept released joint letter urging Swiss, U.S. and Uzbek govts to ensure confiscated assets will not be misused. Lawmakers 15 Sept approved draft legislation to improve religious freedom, including provision to allow wearing of religious clothing in govt offices and education institutions. Deputy PM Uktam Barnoev 20 Sept died from COVID-19 complications in hospital in Germany, two months after testing positive for virus.

Protesters rallied in capital Tashkent against govt plan to amend district boundaries. After govt 5 Aug announced plans to merge parts of Tashkent with surrounding region, hundreds of Tashkent residents 6 Aug protested against potential loss of status as capital residents and associated education, employment and housing privileges; authorities 11 Aug confirmed cancellation of redistricting plans. Govt early Aug approved development plan for Sokh exclave in Ferghana Valley, including resumption of flights to enclave for first time since 1990s. General Prosecutor’s Office 12 Aug confirmed it had called on Kyrgyz authorities to detain Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev; Kyrgyz govt 22 Aug extradited Abdullaev to Tashkent citing assurances by Uzbek authorities; upon arrival, Abdullaev was released but barred from movement inside country pending investigation for unknown charges. Law enforcement in Tashkent 17 Aug announced Kazakh authorities handed over Uzbek opposition activist Khurram Berdiev, arrested in Kazakhstan in Feb (see Kazakhstan), and that Berdiev had been charged with human trafficking. Interior ministry 10 Aug published draft legislation to allow right to hold public demonstrations; organisers will have to apply for permission two weeks prior and must comply with specific restrictions. President Mirziyoyev 27 Aug pardoned and released 113 convicts mostly sentenced on charges of religious extremism, including former Tashkent imam Rukhiddin Fahruddinov detained for past 15 years.

Amid economic strain, govt reimposed lockdown to contain COVID-19 outbreak. In response to spike in COVID-19 cases following 15 June lifting of lockdown, govt 10 July rolled out three-week lockdown and 26 July extended it until 15 Aug. President Mirziyoyev mid-July reprimanded senior officials over mismanagement of public health crisis: 15 July expressed dissatisfaction with officials in Tashkent region and city where authorities registered majority of lethal coronavirus cases; next day criticised health minister Alisher Shodmonov. Group of medical personnel in open letter 20 July criticised Mirziyoyev for “failure” to ensure adequate pay and protective equipment in hospitals. Mirziyoyev 27 July met Tashkent officials to discuss fight against coronavirus; promised more support from govt while urging officials to improve working conditions for medical personnel. Meanwhile, UN report 6 July reported 18% decrease in exports in first quarter and found 1.3% of population had sunk into poverty as result of coronavirus outbreak.

Uzbek and Kyrgyz govts stepped up diplomatic efforts to resolve heightened tensions at border. After clashes near Sokh exclave in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region late May reportedly injured 187 local Uzbek residents and 25 Kyrgyz nationals, PM Aripov and Kyrgyz Deputy PM Boronov 1 June met at border checkpoint to resolve tensions; President Mirziyoyev same day engaged in telephone talks with Kyrgyz counterpart and 5 June visited area affected by violence.

Authorities 3 May launched criminal probe into “official negligence” and potential violations of construction rules following 1 May collapse of Sardoba Reservoir dam completed in 2017 in eastern region Sirdayo, which led to evacuation of at least 70,000 people, hospitalisation of 56 and four deaths. Deputy governor of Kazakhstan’s Turkistan region 2 May criticised Uzbek govt for withholding information on resulting flooding that spilled over into Turkistan and forced thousands of Kazakh citizens to evacuate; President Mirziyoyev apologised to his Kazakh counterpart and reportedly sent personnel and equipment to help repair damage. Interior ministry 3 May announced investigation into temporary police detention of two journalists reporting on aftermath of dam collapse. Clashes over water dispute 31 May erupted between Kyrgyz and Uzbek villagers in Uzbekistan's Sokh exclave in Kyrgyzstan's Batken region. Interior ministry 28 May announced security forces detained suspected members of proscribed Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir in Ferghana Valley. On fifteen-year anniversary of Andijon massacre, human rights groups 13 May urged govt to investigate killing of demonstrators by security forces.

UN Human Rights Committee report findings published 2 April expressed concern over reports of civil and political rights violations, including prison officials and law enforcement torture and abuse of detainees, and detention of journalists and activists on politically-motivated charges; first review of country’s human rights record since President Mirziyoyev took office in 2016. Mirziyoyev in public address 3 April said his govt’s heavy-handed approach in response to COVID-19 was necessary to prevent its rapid spread; law enforcement registered 2,200 rule violations by early April. Labour Minister 15 April asked global human rights coalition Cotton Campaign to end campaign for international boycott of Uzbek cotton and textiles in place since 2006, citing country’s progress in eliminating forced labour and “unprecedented dual threat” on public health and economy due to COVID-19; Cotton Campaign 16 April however rejected request saying it was too early to lift boycott.