Human Rights Watch Calls for Human Rights Focus in Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Border Deal

Human Rights Watch calls on Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize local human rights in their border agreement. The organization emphasizes justice for war crime victims from the 2022 conflict and advocates for investigations into human rights violations. The March 2025 agreement reopens the border and promises resource sharing and demilitarization, while UN Secretary-General Guterres praises it as a historic achievement.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize the human rights of local communities in their agreement aimed at resolving the enduring border crisis. The organization emphasized the necessity for both nations to ensure justice for victims of war crimes related to the 2022 conflict, which resulted in significant human suffering.

HRW encouraged the cooperation of both countries in investigating alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. They also advocated for long-term measures to foster respect for human rights, including the reduction of hate speech. Hugh Williamson, HRW’s director for Europe and Central Asia, stated that sustainable peace necessitates rebuilding trust rooted in human rights among border communities, as well as confronting the injustices of past conflicts.

The 2022 conflict led to the deaths of at least 37 civilians and the displacement of thousands, with allegations of war crimes directed at both nations. Both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are signatories to Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and indiscriminate attacks that could harm them.

On March 13, 2025, a significant agreement was signed by the leaders of both countries, followed by ratification by their parliaments. This agreement has reopened the 1,000-kilometer border, effectively ending a protracted territorial dispute. The deal includes commitments for mutual resource sharing, demilitarization of the border area, and equitable territorial exchanges, while HRW called for compliance and adequate provisions for local communities’ essential needs.

Furthermore, UN Secretary-General António Guterres applauded the agreement, characterizing it as a “historic achievement.” The border dispute, which persisted since the countries gained independence from the Soviet Union, has been marked by intermittent conflicts over crucial agricultural resources, particularly in areas like Batken in Kyrgyzstan.

In summary, HRW emphasizes the importance of prioritizing human rights in the resolution of the longstanding border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The organization’s call for justice and accountability, along with recommendations for proactive human rights measures, reflects the critical need for sustainable peace that acknowledges and rectifies past injustices. The recently signed agreement represents a critical step forward, highlighting the significance of cooperation and resource sharing to foster lasting stability in the region.

Original Source: www.jurist.org