Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s human rights record is atrocious. Thousands are imprisoned on politically-motivated charges. Torture is endemic in the criminal justice system. Authorities continue to crackdown on civil society activists, opposition members, and journalists. Muslims and Christians who practice their religion outside strict state controls are persecuted, and freedom of expression is severely limited. The government forces more than two millions adults to harvest cotton under abusive conditions. Authorities still deny justice for the 2005 Andijan massacre, in which government forces shot and killed hundreds of protesters. Despite this, the United States and European Union continue to advance closer relations with Uzbekistan.  Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people  face deep-rooted homophobia and discrimination.