Human Rights Watch has called for the prioritization of human rights in the border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The organization demands justice for victims of war crimes from the 2022 conflict and emphasizes the need for investigations into human rights violations. A border deal signed in 2025 aims to resolve disputes and improve resources for local populations, earning praise from UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a historic achievement.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize the human rights of local populations in their efforts to resolve the longstanding border crisis. On Friday, the organization emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for victims of war crimes from the 2022 conflict, which resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement.
HRW advocates for thorough investigations into alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the recent conflagration. It also calls for ongoing initiatives to foster respect for human rights, particularly by combating hate speech. Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, remarked that “long-lasting peace will require rebuilding trust based on respect for human rights between border communities.”
The organizations highlighted allegations of war crimes against both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan stemming from the 2022 hostilities, which claimed the lives of at least 37 civilians. The report noted that both countries are parties to Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits attacks that deliberately target civilians and those indiscriminately affecting them.
On March 13, 2025, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan leaders signed a border agreement, subsequently ratified by their parliaments. The deal restored the 1,000 km border, concluding decades of disputes. Key provisions include sharing resources like water, demilitarization of the area, and equal territory exchanges. HRW has insisted that the agreement must be implemented with guarantees for locals’ access to education, water, and housing.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres lauded this resolution as a “historic achievement.” The border between these two nations lacks official demarcation since their independence from the Soviet Union, leading to intermittent conflicts over critical resources, particularly in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes the necessity for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to focus on human rights in their border agreement. With the need for justice for past war crimes and ongoing efforts to prevent future violations, both countries have the opportunity to foster lasting peace. The recent border deal represents a significant step towards resolving historical disputes but requires strict adherence to human rights principles to ensure stability and trust within affected communities.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
