HRW Urges Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Prioritize Human Rights in Border Agreement
Human Rights Watch urges Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize human rights in their border deal and seek justice for victims of war crimes from the 2022 conflict. The organizations emphasize the need for investigations into human rights violations and the importance of community trust for lasting peace. UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the agreement as a historical achievement.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize human rights for local communities in their recent border settlement. The organization also called upon both nations to ensure justice for victims of war crimes from the 2022 conflict, advocating for investigations into alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, Hugh Williamson, highlighted the necessity of repairing trust among communities through the respect of human rights, citing that “long-lasting peace will require rebuilding trust based on respect for human rights between border communities and reckoning with the injustices committed during past conflicts.”
The 2022 skirmishes between the two countries resulted in at least 37 civilian deaths and widespread displacement. Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan face accusations of committing war crimes during this conflict. As signatories to Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, they are obligated to protect civilians from deliberate harm and indiscriminate attacks.
On March 13, 2025, leaders from both countries finalized a border deal that has since been ratified by their respective parliaments. This agreement aims to resolve the long-standing territorial disputes, ensuring the reopening of the 1,000km border, mutual resource sharing, demilitarization, and territory exchanges. HRW insisted that the terms of this agreement be honored to guarantee access to essential services for local populations.
In a related context, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended the border agreement as a “historic achievement.” It is noteworthy that the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been contentious due to its lack of official demarcation post-Soviet Union, leading to disputes over vital farming resources, particularly in the Batken region and Tajikistan.
The call from Human Rights Watch indicates a crucial intersection between international diplomacy and human rights advocacy concerning the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border deal. Prioritizing human rights and justice for past wrongs is essential for fostering lasting peace and rebuilding relationships between the local communities affected by previous conflicts. The endorsement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres further underscores the significance of this agreement.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
