HRW emphasizes the need to prioritize human rights in the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border agreement. The organization calls for accountability for past war crimes and support for local populations’ needs. The deal aims to resolve disputes and has been recognized as a significant achievement by UN officials, yet HRW insists on the importance of implementing respect for human rights.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize local populations’ human rights amid the ongoing resolution of their border conflict. The organization emphasized the need for justice for war crime victims from the 2022 violence, advocating for thorough investigations into human rights violations and initiatives to mitigate hate speech. HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, Hugh Williamson, noted that fostering trust among border communities is essential for achieving lasting peace, emphasizing the importance of addressing past injustices.
The conflict that erupted in 2022 resulted in the deaths of at least 37 civilians and displaced thousands over four days of fighting, following previous violence in 2021. Both nations are signatories of Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the targeting of civilians and indiscriminate attacks. The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a deal on March 13, 2025, aimed at resolving border disputes, which has been ratified by both parliaments, effectively reopening their 1,000km border and concluding a prolonged disagreement.
This agreement includes commitments from both nations to share resources, demilitarize border regions, and exchange equal territory sections. HRW has urged compliance with the deal to ensure locals have access to essential services such as education, water, and housing. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres commended the agreement, labeling it as a “historic achievement.” The borders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan remain contentious since their independence from the Soviet Union, which lacked formal delineation, leading to recurring clashes over vital agricultural resources, particularly in Tajikistan and the Batken area of Kyrgyzstan, with significant violence only erupting recently.
In summary, HRW’s advocacy highlights the importance of prioritizing human rights in the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border deal, emphasizing justice for past war crimes and the necessity of fostering trust between communities. With both countries agreeing to share resources and demilitarize the area, it is crucial that they respect the agreement to ensure the well-being of local populations. This historic accord is a step towards mitigating long-standing territorial disputes and promoting peace in the region.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
