Human Rights Watch Urges Focus on Human Rights in…

HRW urges Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize human rights in settling their border crisis. The organization calls for justice for war crime victims from the 2022 conflict, independent investigations into violations, and efforts to combat hate speech. The newly ratified border deal aims to resolve disputes and improve resource sharing, but HRW emphasizes the importance of human rights safeguards for local populations.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize local human rights during the negotiations to resolve the ongoing border crisis. The organization emphasized the need for justice for war crime victims from the 2022 conflict. HRW advocates for investigations into alleged human rights violations and supports long-term initiatives to combat hate speech while promoting human rights protections in the area.

Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, highlighted that fostering long-term peace requires rebuilding trust through respect for human rights between communities affected by the border disputes. This includes addressing historical injustices related to past conflicts. Both nations are accused of war crimes linked to the 2022 clashes, which resulted in the death of at least 37 civilians and displaced thousands of others during four days of fighting.

In March 2025, a border deal was signed and ratified by both nations, reopening the 1,000km-long border and resolving decades of disputes. The agreement includes commitments to share resources, demilitarize, and exchange equal territory sections. HRW advocates for adherence to this agreement, ensuring local populations have adequate access to essential services like education, water, and housing.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated this agreement as a significant milestone. The border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan remained undemarcated post-Soviet Union independence, leading to numerous skirmishes over vital agricultural resources, culminating in large-scale violence in 2021.

The call from HRW emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing human rights in the resolution of the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border crisis. With a background of historical violence and accusations of war crimes, ensuring justice and establishing trust are crucial for sustainable peace. The recent agreement between the two countries represents a step forward, but HRW stresses the importance of adhering to the commitments made within this deal while safeguarding the rights and needs of local populations.

Original Source: www.jurist.org