UZBEKISTAN-SOGI-TBs-CAT

Country: Uzbekistan

Issue: SOGI

Human rights mechanism: Treaty bodies

Treaty body: Committee Against Torture (CAT)

Concluding Observations on Report 5 (2019) (Link)

Violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons

63. The Committee is concerned at reports that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are subjected to: violence and torture while in detention; persecution by the police, including through entrapment schemes carried out using websites, threatening videos and extortion; and violence by private persons. The Committee is also concerned that the State party indicated that it has no cases open involving violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons. In addition, it is concerned about reports that the criminalization of same-sex sexual relations in article 120 of the criminal procedure code renders lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons particularly vulnerable to violence by both law enforcement officials and private persons. This is because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are reluctant to contact the authorities to seek protection from violence for fear of being arrested (arts. 2, 12–14 and 16).

64. The State party should undertake prompt, effective and impartial investigations of all allegations of torture and ill-treatment perpetrated against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons by or with the consent or acquiescence of public officials. The State party also should take measures to prevent violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity, including by repealing article 120 of the criminal code and ensuring that its complaints mechanisms are accessible to and capable of facilitating effective protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons who are victims of or at risk of violence.

UZBEKISTAN-SOGI-TBs-CAT

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