Uzbekistan
While reforms adopted since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016 have led to improvements on some issues, Uzbekistan remains an authoritarian state with few signs of democratization. No opposition parties operate legally. The legislature and judiciary effectively serve as instruments of the executive branch, which initiates reforms by decree, and the media are still tightly controlled by the authorities. Reports of torture and other ill-treatment persist, although highly publicized cases of abuse have resulted in dismissals and prosecutions for some officials, and small-scale corruption has been meaningfully reduced.
Freedom in the World — Uzbekistan Country Report
Uzbekistan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2023 , Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.
Freedom on the Net— Uzbekistan Country Report
Uzbekistan is rated Not Free in Freedom on the Net , Freedom House's comprehensive study of internet freedom around the globe.
Nations in Transit — Uzbekistan Country Report
Categorized as a Consolidated Authoritarian regime, Uzbekistan receives a Democracy Percentage of 4 out of 100 in the Nations in Transit 2022 report.
News & Perspectives on Uzbekistan
NEW REPORT: Regional Autocrats Exploiting Instability, Expanding Power from Central Europe to Central Asia
Press release
April 20, 2022
Uzbekistan: Authorities Must End Reprisals Against Blogger Miraziz Bazarov for Exercising Right to Freedom of Expression
Joint statement
April 28, 2021
NEW REPORT: Attacks on Democracy Intensify as Autocracy Spreads in Europe and Eurasia
Press release
April 28, 2021
Uzbekistan: Stop Punishing Homosexuality and Respect the Human Rights of All
Joint statement
December 10, 2020
