Security Brief for prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 9:19:50 PM UTC

Security Assessment Rating

Security Rating for Uzbekistan: 3 - Moderate

Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 3 Overall Rating: Security Services 4 3 Civil Unrest 3 3 Moderate Kidnapping 2 Geopolitical 3

Security Overview : Overview of Uzbekistan Travelers can be targets of violent crimes and have been robbed by individuals posing as police officers. There is a threat of terrorism. Targets could include government buildings, transportation hubs, hotels and other sites frequented by travelers. State repression and poverty are unlikely to result in widespread civil unrest; isolated protests over economic grievances are likely. The Afghan border is hazardous due to security operations to stop cross-border incursions by Islamist militants. Regions bordering Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic can see clashes between security forces and gunmen.

No Current Security Alerts

Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts

Entry/Exit: Uzbekistan tightens domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of July 12. International entry restrictions in place. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Significant travel and business disruptions

Summary Uzbekistan has tightened COVID-19 countermeasures, as of July 12, amid increasing case numbers. All public events are indefinitely suspended. Theaters, concert halls, and other event venues are closed. Additionally, from Aug. 1, weddings may not exceed 50 people.

Authorities previously reintroduced a color-coded system to denote epidemiological risk in the country. Regions are classified as "red," "yellow," or "green" in descending order of risk. is in the red zone. Access to the city has been restricted. Only permanent residents of Tashkent may enter. Exceptions will be made for those seeking urgent medical treatment, international air travelers who possess a valid air ticket, freight transporters, and essential workers. Catering facilities and entertainment venues may only operate 08:00-20:00 and may not exceed 50 percent capacity.

Authorities have also introduced additional nationwide restrictions. Face masks must be worn on public transport. Residents must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than 72 hours old to access tourist resorts and leisure facilities.

Most nonessential businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and houses of worship, are operating with strict sanitization and social distancing protocols in place. Concert events in enclosed spaces are prohibited. Private gatherings of up to 30 persons are permitted. Public transport vehicles may not exceed 50 percent capacity. All persons must comply with social distancing guidelines of 2 meters (6.5 feet) and wear facemasks while in public. Medical screenings may be conducted before entering grocery stores and markets.

International Entry Restrictions Authorities have reintroduced mandatory COVID-19 PCR tests for all those entering the country from permitted travel locations. The test must have been taken within the previous 72 hours. A second PCR test must be taken after seven days.

Authorities have also closed all land border crossings with Afghanistan except for the Termez-Avtoyul border checkpoint. Only freight transporters, citizens, and permanent residents of Uzbekistan and diplomats may enter Uzbekistan through the Termez-Avtoyul border checkpoint. Permitted travelers must present a negative COVID- 19 PCR test no more than 72 hours old to border officials. Travelers will also be subject to a rapid antigen test at the border. Uzbek nationals who fail the test will be quarantined in a government facility, while foreign nationals who fail the test will be barred from entry. All persons permitted to enter the country must take a COVID-19 PCR within seven days. Additionally, Uzbekistan Airways (HY) has reduced flights with India.

While international travel is permitted, flight suspensions with several countries, including the UK, remain in place. Additionally, due to low demand, flights from several other destinations have been effectively suspended.

Authorities have designated countries Green, Yellow, or Red, depending on their assessment of the epidemiological threat in each. As of the most recent review, the designations are as follows:

Arrivals from Green locations must provide a PCR test no more than 72 hours old. Green locations include China, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Georgia, Hungary, Finland, Latvia, Austria, and Japan. Travelers who have visited any Yellow location within the previous 10 days must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in addition to taking two PCR tests seven days apart. Yellow locations include Azerbaijan, Belarus, UAE, and most of the EU. All other countries have been designated as Red locations. Passengers who have visited a Red country within the previous 10 days must present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old, take two PCR tests seven days apart, and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Uzbekistan. Persons who fail either test may be quarantined in a state facility. Arrivals must also complete a passenger form specifying their accommodations for the self-isolation period. While flights with several of these countries have been suspended, travelers from Red locations may enter Uzbekistan by transiting a Yellow or Green location. Uzbek nationals returning from a Red country will be quarantined in a state facility for 14 days.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources Uzbekistan Ministry of Public Health

Passenger Commitment Form

World Health Organization (WHO)

Alert begins: 07/12/2021 Warning Alerts

Health: COVID-19 activity continues in Central Asia as of June 1. Use basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Central Asia (map) Period: March 2020-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking)

Summary COVID-19 activity is ongoing in the region as of June 1. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the following countries have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Transmission status pending:

Tajikistan: 13,308 cases

Clusters of cases:

Kazakhstan: 387,672 cases : 105,111 cases Uzbekistan: 100,495 cases*

*As of June 1, disease activity has increased in these countries.

Additional cases may be added to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continue.

Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources WHO coronavirus knowledge base US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Employers US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress US CDC Global COVID-19 Travel Health Notice WHO: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 WHO advice for international travel New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Alert begins: 06/01/2021

Security Intelligence

SECURITY Armed Conflict: Armed Conflict - Uzbekistan

Border and territorial disputes exist between Uzbekistan and its neighbors Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The disputes center on border demarcation, natural resource ownership and tensions around ethnic enclaves. Experts on both sides disagree which Soviet maps should be used for demarcation since the 300km (190-mile) frontier was moved several times during the Soviet period. Interstate conflict is unlikely. In 2017, the Uzbek side initiated renewed talks to end the conflict with Kyrgyzstan over the demarcation of disputed border areas. This led to a groundbreaking agreement that demarcated 85 per cent of the common border and lifted travel restrictions for their citizens.

Several individuals have been killed in illegal border crossing incidents in the regions bordering Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Areas near the Afghan border are potentially hazardous due to cross-border incursions by Islamist militants and subsequent security operations. Uzbekistan has signed strategic partnership treaties with Russia and China. In October 2017, Uzbekistan and Russia launched a landmark joint military exercise, the first of its kind between the two armies in 12 years. In addition, the two countries are implementing a program to modernize Uzbekistan's armed forces with Russian weapons and military equipment until 2020.

Civil Unrest: The threat of civil unrest in Uzbekistan is low Civil unrest is rare due to heavy repression of demonstrations and rallies by security forces. An estimated 12,000 people are thought to be detained on politically motivated charges. Many of them are held in Jaslyk prison, which is notorious for harsh conditions and mistreatment of prisoners. In May 2005, violence erupted in the eastern city of Andizhan. The Andizhan uprising and other protests were demonstrations against the imprisonment of 23 businessmen, the dire state of the economy and corruption. Security forces fired on a massive protest. Rights groups and survivors claim over 700 people were killed. The government claims force was necessary to quell the threat from Islamic extremists. Ethnic unrest accompanied by small-scale property damage occasionally occurs in disputed border areas with neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, but it is unlikely to escalate.

Contacts and Communication: Emergency numbers and selected embassy contacts in Uzbekistan Travelers should familiarize themselves with the location and contact details of other foreign embassies in case their country's embassy closes due to an emergency or some other unexpected circumstances. Another embassy can often provide assistance in such cases.

Emergency Services:

Police Emergency 102 Fire Emergency 101 Ambulance Emergency 103 International Country Code 998 Contact information for select embassies in Uzbekistan: Note: This information is subject to change.

China - Embassy France - Embassy

79 Akademik Yahyo Gulyamov Street 25 Istiqbol Street Tashkent Tashkent Phone: +998-71-233-8088 Phone: +998-71-233-53-82 Fax: +998-71-13-34-735 Fax: +998-233-6210 Email: [email protected] ambafrance-uz.org/ uz.chineseembassy.org/ Germany - Embassy Japan - Embassy

15 Sharaf Rashidov Street 1-28 Sadyk Azimov Street Tashkent Tashkent 100047 Phone: +998-78-120-8440 Phone: +998-71-120-8060 Fax: +998-78-120-8485 Fax: +998-78-120-8077 Email: [email protected] uz.emb-japan.go.jp taschkent.diplo.de/uz-uz Russia - Embassy Switzerland - Embassy

83 Nukus Street Usmon Nosyr Street, Tashkent Tupik 1/4 P.O. Box 5770 Glavpotchtamt 700000 Phone: +998-71-120-35-04 Tashkent Fax: +998-71-120-35-09 Phone: +998-71-120-6738 Email: [email protected] Fax: +998-78-120-6259 http://www.uzbekistan.mid.ru Email: [email protected] eda.admin.ch/tashkent United Kingdom - Embassy - Embassy

67 Gulyamov Street 3 Moyqorghon Street Tashkent 100000 5th Block, Yunusobod District Phone: +998-71-120-1500 Tashkent 100093 Fax: +998-78-120-1520 Phone: +998-78-120-5450 Email: [email protected] Fax: +998-78-120-6335 gov.uk/british-embassy-tashkent Email: [email protected] uzbekistan.usembassy.gov/

Crime: Crime generally poses a moderate threat in Uzbekistan

The government does not release crime statistics so accurate assessments are difficult to gauge. Crimes that do occur include theft, muggings and confidence tricks involving currency exchange. Hotspots for crime include crowded places such as bazaars and on public transportation. Night-clubs frequented by foreigners are targets for illicit activity and often become the focus of police raids. Credit card fraud and black markets for the US dollar are widespread.

According to the US State Department, violent crime and property crime are on the rise. The economic slowdown in Russia prompted some Uzbek labor migrants in Russia to return, which increases the petty crime in Tashkent as well as such tourist destinations as and Samarkand. The use of unofficial taxis carries an increased risk of robbery, especially at night. Police officers, or sometimes those pretending to be police officers, may seek to impose an on-the-spot fine. The use of violence during robberies have been reported.

Uzbekistan represents a major transit destination for opiates from Afghanistan en route to Russia and Europe. The tri-border region of Uzbekistan/Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan is a haven of cross-border smuggling as well as a major transit route for weapons and human trafficking. The area is not generally considered safe for foreign travelers without security protection.

Geopolitical: The geopolitical threat is moderate in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is a parliamentary republic which has operated as a de-facto authoritarian regime since its establishment in 1991. The death of Uzbekistan's long-running ruler 's and the appointment of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as his successor in 2016 led to cautious optimism that the investment climate will gradually improve as a result of limited political reforms. However, subsequent elections have resulted in no real change to the nation's power dynamics. The government recently relaunched a privatization scheme, offering minority shares in industrial, telecoms and textile companies, although this has had a limited impact on foreign investment. Rampant corruption is present in all levels of government and business. Political dissent is heavily suppressed and constitutional and other legal guarantees of free speech are not observed in practice.

Kidnapping/ Situation: The threat of kidnapping in Uzbekistan is low

Kidnapping

For most foreign nationals, the threat of kidnapping in Uzbekistan is low. Kidnappings are not regularly reported, and kidnappers are more likely to target locals and/or persons associated with organized criminal activity. The kidnapping threat is elevated in the vicinity of the shared borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, due to terrorist group activity.

The most likely types of abduction in Uzbekistan include kidnapping to settle debts/personal disputes, basic opportunistic kidnap-for-ransom, high net worth individual kidnap-for-ransom and kidnappings/detentions and political/terrorist kidnapping in the abovementioned border areas. The kidnap threat foreign short-term business or recreational travelers in urban centers is generally reduced. Kidnap victims in Uzbekistan are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly; however, may face the threat of assault/injury during confinement.

Related Advice: Increasing your chances of survival in a kidnapping/hostage situation Related Advice: Avoiding and surviving kidnapping situations.

Security Services: Security services in Uzbekistan are generally poor (risk is high).

Security Services

The capabilities and responsiveness of security services in Uzbekistan are generally poor (risk is high). Although Uzbekistan has a number of different security forces, the Uzbekistan National Police are likely to be the most relevant for foreign nationals and local staff. Police officers are typically unable to speak foreign languages. Corruption amongst traffic police is an issue. Police are known to use torture during interrogation, foreign nationals should avoid contact with security forces if possible and instead liaise with their diplomatic mission.

Related Advice: Recognizing when you are under surveillance, and tips to avoid surveillance.

Terrorism: The overall threat of terrorism in Uzbekistan is low

Hundreds of Uzbeks are assessed to be involved in conflicts in the Middle East. Uzbeks have also been involved in attacks and plots in Turkey and Russia. Uzbek state-run media have voiced concerns over the possibility that Uzbek militants who fought with Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq could return home to carry out attacks. Uzbek fighters, who have claimed being involved in recent battles in northern Afghanistan, are also regarded as a significant terrorism threat to the country. Despite this, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2018 placed Uzbekistan as 132 out of 138 countries, indicating a low-level impact of domestic terrorism. The aforementioned returnees are likely to increase the threat.

The US government has released threat advisory warnings that state that there is a threat to Western interests in Uzbekistan from terrorism. Although Islamist militants are more likely to attack government and security force targets, there is a realistic possibility that the hard security profile around those facilities will displace such activity to softer targets, including Western businesses or areas where Westerners congregate. In late August 2017, the Uzbek government warned of terrorist attacks ahead of Independence Day and the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

Both the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the (IJU) have carried out attacks in Tashkent and Bukhara, which mainly targeted police. IMU, which has thousands of fighters in the tribal areas of Pakistan, has pledged support for IS. There is a realistic possibility that this will provide IS with an offensive capability against targets in Uzbekistan. The government has stepped up monitoring of suspected IS sympathizers. Counter-terrorism raids were carried out in Andizhan and Karakalpakstan in October and November 2016 respectively.

Another Islamist militant group, Hizb-ut-Tahir (HT), is also active in Uzbekistan. While claiming to be a non- violent group, it seeks to establish a caliphate in Central Asia and shares al-Qaeda's ideology. There are concerns HT could provide Islamist militant groups with a platform to launch attacks in Uzbekistan. The population is generally not supportive of the radical objectives espoused by HT, IMU and similar groups.

On November 6, 2019, 17 people were killed in an armed attack targeting a Tajik security post on the Uzbek- Tajik border. The arrested individuals acknowledged their affiliation to IS. Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism.

Overview of Uzbekistan The Republic of Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country in central Asia. Formally a constituent republic of the , the country is now a Muslim-majority constitutional republic which has seen limited economic development in the twenty-first century, despite possessing large natural gas gas reserves. The Uzbek government has historically had a very firm grip on power and civil unrest is rare. Protests are fiercely repressed. Border disputes with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan can result in border closures. There have been several terrorist incidents linked to Islamist militants. Foreign interests face a potential risk of being targeted. A heavy public security presence keeps petty crime under control although incidents involving foreigners do occur. Violent crime targeting foreigners is rare. Organized crime is prevalent in the border areas and skirmishes involving criminal gangs are a threat in peripheral locations. There are no major risks associated with air travel in Uzbekistan, however, internal carriers do not typically meet international aviation safety standards. Driving safety is poor and winter conditions can make driving hazardous, especially over mountain passes. Medical care is extremely limited outside of major cities. Climatic conditions during winter months can pose an impediment to travel. There are mined areas along the borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Weather, Currency Exchange

UZBEKISTAN WEATHER CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Tashkent: CURRENCY 1 US Dollar 1 Uzbekistan 1 Euro = Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 16 NAMES = Som = Jul 17 Euro 1.0000 0.8423 0.0001 High: High: High: High: High: US Dollar 1.1872 1.0000 0.0001 99° F 98° F 96° F 97° F 103° F Uzbekistan (37° C) (36° C) (35° C) (36° C) 12,594.8594 10,608.7886 1.0000 (39° C) Som Low: 72° Low: 73° Low: 65° Low: 73° Low: 70° F (22° F (22° F (18° F (22° F (21° C) C) C) C) C)

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