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Human Rights & the War on Terror R EVIEW D IGEST: H UMAN R IGHTS & T HE W AR ON T ERROR Uzbekistan1 by Chris Maggard The Central Asian republics have largely remained hidden from the world attention since they gained independence a decade ago. However, immediately following September 11th the region was brought into focus as a part of the US-led “War on Terror”. Uzbekistan became a full partner in this initiative when the government decided to allow the U.S. military full use of its territory in the invasion against Afghanistan . As Uzbek President Karimov has become willing to work with the West than neighboring countries, the debate in recent years has been how and to what extent, rather than whether or not the United States should commit resources to Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia. The West’s previous hesitance to work with these countries was based on their record of widespread human rights abuses and their refusal to bring about reform. No one denies that these abuses are still occurring. There is considerable difference of opinion about what should be done to bring about human rights reform and if this should be a requirement for continued U.S. and international involvement. Many fear that a partnership based solely on security needs without attention to human rights, equality and justice will legitimate the authoritarian governments of the region and ultimately lead to elevated levels of instability and repression there. Since 1999 , international observers and policymakers have often viewed Central Asia as swept up in a tide of Islamic fundamentalism. In his speech to Congress in September 2001, President George W. Bush singled out the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) as a terrorist group demanding immediate attention. Instability in Central Asia has often been blamed on radical Islamic groups such as the IMU who aspire to establish a state based on Islamic Law, and provide assistance to worldwide terrorist networks. However, President Karimov’s efforts to control radical Muslims have gotten out of hand and persecution of many ordinary Muslims has come about as a result. With Muslims making up 90 percent of Uzbekistan ‘s population, many believe the United States is purposefully strengthening the repressive regime against them. Further repression, of course, could lead to increased support for Islamic extremists and radicalization of a larger portion of the population. Background General Information Svante E. Cornell; Roy Allison. 2003. “Strategic Security Dilemmas in the Caucasus and Central Asia”. NBR Analysis. 14(3): http://www. nbr. org. ABSTRACT: A two-part inquiry dealing first with the “Military and Economic Security Perspectives” of the Central Asian states. The creation of American bases within this region has, in a 1 This section has a supplement that begins on page S-62. 222 H UMAN R IGHTS & H UMAN W ELFARE way, redrawn the political map, complicating the states’ abilities to address the endemic problems of the region. The second part, “The Limits of Multilateralism”, asserts that it will be difficult to implement multilateral strategies to solve regional problems. Simon Churchyard. 2002. “Supporting Tyranny in the Name of Freedom”. Utne Reader. (112): 25. Focuses on the U.S. -Uzbekistan partnership to fight terrorism and how ironic it is to be teaming up with a tyrant in the name of freedom. Discusses the terms agreed to for assistance to be extended by Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov to the U.S. forces during the terrorism campaign in Afghanistan. Economist. July 26, 2003. “Your Move”. Economist. 368(8334): 15. Central Asia has come a long way since independence but is still facing serious security problems, which America, Russia and China are keen on alleviating. The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation was set up to deal with border issues, but has recently concentrated on anti-terrorist measures. It provides non-lethal military assistance and training to most Central Asian countries. Bakhtiyar Babajanov and Martha Brill Olcott. 2003. “The Terrorist Notebooks”. Foreign Policy. 31(March/April). Notebooks of radical Islamic students learning to become terrorists in Uzbekistan. Students are taught mostly in military subjects and once that is mastered they turn to jihad, how, when and who to kill for the faith. Farkhad Tolipov and Roger N. Mcdermott. 2003. “Uzbekistan and the Us: Partners against Terrorism”. The Review of International Affairs. 2(4): 1-18. Focuses on the threat of terrorism in the Central Asia region and the newly-emerged US-Uzbek strategic partnership that has emerged. This relationship is a key factor in shaping the region’s geopolitical status quo. Analysis deals with military aspects of the partnership in conjunction with Uzbekistan’s military reform dynamics and state policy towards counter-terrorism. Norwegian Refugee Council; Global IDP Project. July 1, 2003. “Profile of Internal Displacement: Uzbekistan”. http://www. idpproject. org. In 2000 the Uzbekistan government forced many villages along the Tajikistan border to relocate to hastily-built, destitute settlements in order to decrease the flow of armed Islamic forces into the country. Though this threat has considerably lessened since then, there government shows no inclination to repatriate the roughly 3000 villagers, who are now suffering in extreme poverty. Svante E. Cornell and Regine A. Spector. Winter 2002. “Central Asia: More Than Islamic Extremists”. The Washington Quarterly. 25(1): 193-206. Rather than viewing the incursions in Central Asia by Islamic extremists as the cause of the current instability, they should be understood as indicators of the region’s complex dynamic. This involves the role of Islam in Central Asia, the challenges of regional poverty and drug trafficking, and the ideological spillover effects of the war in Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch. September 26, 2001. “Press Backgrounder: Human Rights Abuse in Uzbekistan”. http://www. hrw. org/backgrounder/eca/uzbek092501-bck. htm. 223 R EVIEW D IGEST: H UMAN R IGHTS & T HE W AR ON T ERROR After 9/11, President Bush announced that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) was linked to Osama bin Laden. The IMU is a militant group that seeks the establishment of Islamic Law in Uzebekistan. In the Uzbek governments efforts to stop this group, many innocent Muslims have been branded “extremist” and had their rights violated. Human Rights Watch. 2001. “Sacrificing Women to Save the Family? Domestic Violence in Uzbekistan”. http://www. hrw. org/reports/2001/uzbekistan/. Women in Uzbekistan have their rights doubly violated, first by suffering physical and other abuse from their husbands and then by the government, who accomplish the goal of “save the family” through coercing women victims to remain in abusive situations, ignoring violence against women, and perpetuating impunity for violent husbands. Many recommendations are given to Uzbekistan and international actors for increasing women’s rights. Human Rights Watch. 2001. “U. S. Policy in Central Asia”. http://www. hrw. org/backgrounder/eca/uzbekistan0605-bck. htm. A good overview of U.S. policy towards Central Asia before September 11th. Argues that the U.S. has failed to effectively address human rights problems, and that allowing these abuses undermines economic reform, deters honest investment and stunts the development of strong civil societies. Human Rights Watch. 2003. “Uzbekistan: From House to House: Abuses by Mahalla Committees”. http://www. hrw. org/reports/2003/uzbekistan0903/ The mahalla is a centuries-old autonomous institution organized around Islamic rituals and social events. Under President Karimov, the Uzbek government has converted the mahalla committees from an autonomous expression of self-government to a national system for surveillance and control. The people find themselves under increasing pressure from government and law enforcement authorities to enforce government policies that violate human rights norms. Central Asia Svante E. Cornell and Roy Allison. 2003. “Strategic Security Dilemmas in the Caucasus and Central Asia”. NBR Analysis. 14(3): http://www. nbr. org. ABSTRACT: A two-part inquiry dealing first with the “Military and Economic Security Perspectives” of the Central Asian states. The creation of American bases within this region has, in a way, redrawn the political map, complicating the states’ abilities to address the endemic problems of the region. The second part, “The Limits of Multilateralism”, asserts that it will be difficult to implement multilateral strategies to solve regional problems. Svante E. Cornell. 2002. “Central Asia: More Than Islamic Extremists”. Washington Quarterly. 25(1): 193. Reports on the integral participation of Central Asian republics in the U.S. campaign against terrorism, the launch of insurgencies by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the republic, and consequences brought by the rise of the Taliban government for Central Asia. Economic conditions in Central Asia are also discussed. 224 H UMAN R IGHTS & H UMAN W ELFARE Svante E. Cornell. 2004. “The United States and Central Asia: In the Steppes to Stay?” Cambridge Review of International Affairs. 17(2): 239. September eleventh elevated the importance of Central Asia in U.S. global strategy and the Central Asian republics proved crucial bases for military and intelligence operations. As its Central Asian footprint grows, Washington must consider the interests of key Eurasian powers and demonstrate a sustained economic and political commitment to the region. “Your Move”. 2003. Economist. 368(8334): 15.
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