Uzbekistan’s Efforts to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction Under Scrutiny

A Report Reveals Challenges in Combating WMD Proliferation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Despite some credible efforts to improve its anti-money laundering framework and combat organized crime, Uzbekistan remains vulnerable to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), according to a new report.

Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs

The country’s risk of money laundering and terrorist financing remains high, with the long-term effects of prevention efforts yet to be observed in practice. While the government has made progress in ensuring legitimate businesses operate free from criminal influence, there are still numerous challenges facing entrepreneurs.

• The report highlights concerns about Uzbekistan’s capacity to protect victims of organized crime and human trafficking.
• The government operates 197 centers to assist victims, but some have been criticized for inadequate protection.

Progress Made in Protecting Victims

On a positive note, Uzbekistan has made progress in increasing protection for victims of human trafficking. The country has maintained its prevention efforts against systemic child labor and forced labor in the cotton harvest industry, resulting in a notable decrease in these crimes.

• Civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent human rights activists have played an active role in drawing attention to government-compelled forced labor among adults and children during the annual cotton harvest.
• However, there have been instances of cooperation between the government and CSOs, particularly in areas related to organized crime.

Media Freedom Remains Limited

While some progress has been made with imprisoned journalists being freed and access to censored websites granted, criticism of the government remains largely out of bounds. The state exercises control over all media coverage, requiring all media outlets to register with authorities and provide copies of publications to the government.

Key Findings

• Uzbekistan’s risk of money laundering and terrorist financing remains high.
• The government’s ability to ensure legitimate businesses operate free from criminal influence has improved over the past two decades, but challenges remain.
• Victims of organized crime and human trafficking face inadequate protection due to delays in registering NGOs and lack of standardized identification processes.
• Civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent human rights activists play an active role in drawing attention to government-compelled forced labor among adults and children during the annual cotton harvest.
• Media freedom is extremely limited, with criticism of the government largely out of bounds.

Recommendations

• Strengthen anti-money laundering and terrorist financing frameworks to reduce the risk of WMD proliferation.
• Improve protection for victims of organized crime and human trafficking by streamlining NGO registration processes and implementing standardized identification procedures.
• Enhance cooperation between civil society organizations (CSOs) and government agencies to combat forced labor and human trafficking.
• Promote media freedom by relaxing restrictions on criticism of the government and allowing independent online media outlets to operate freely.

Note: The report was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.