Britain as a ‘force for good’ in Central Asia Working Group: Uzbekistan paper

Article 1 of the agreement lists states that ‘the objectives of this partnership are: to support the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Uzbekistan; to support the Republic of Uzbekistan's efforts to consolidate its democracy and to develop its economy and to complete the transition into a market economy; to provide an appropriate framework for the political dialogue between the. [...] Furthermore, Article 64 commits the parties to ‘cooperate on all questions relevant to the establishment or reinforcement of democratic institutions, including those required in order to strengthen the rule of law, and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms according to international law and OSCE principles. [...] This cooperation shall, as appropriate, take the form of technical assistance programmes intended to assist, inter alia, in the drafting of relevant legislation 36 and regulations; the implementation of such legislation; the functioning of the judiciary; the role of the State in questions of justice; and the operation of the electoral system. [...] The UK Government needs to continue to stress that wider systemic change (around the independence and competence of the judiciary and law enforcement) will be necessary to provide reassurance to investors that property rights will be respected and reputational risk is reduced, in order to meet the economic priorities of both Governments. [...] Even more, Government officials reportedly attempted to obstruct workers from unionising at a cotton textile cluster operating in Syrdarya region, despite the fact that in 2018 the Government of Uzbekistan ratified the ILO Convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, and it has a duty to respect, protect, and fulfil the right of workers to join and form trade.