Human Rights Watch urges Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize human rights in their border deal. The organization highlights the need for justice for war crime victims from the 2022 conflict and encourages investigations into human rights violations. The March 2025 agreement, ratified by both states, aims to resolve the long-standing border dispute and ensure proper access to resources for local populations.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize the human rights of local populations in the border deal aimed at resolving their protracted border crisis. The organization also emphasized the necessity for justice for the victims of war crimes that occurred during the conflict in 2022.
HRW urged the two nations to initiate thorough investigations into reported violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. They also advocated for long-term initiatives that promote respect for these rights, including efforts to reduce hate speech. Hugh Williamson, the Europe and Central Asia director for HRW, stated that “long-lasting peace will require rebuilding trust based on respect for human rights between border communities.”
Allegations of war crimes have surfaced against both countries due to the 2022 conflict, which resulted in at least 37 civilian deaths and forced thousands to flee. The preceding clashes in 2021 similarly led to civilian fatalities. Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are signatories to the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits deliberate attacks on civilians.
On March 13, 2025, leaders of both nations ratified a deal that reestablished the 1,000km-long border, effectively concluding their long-standing dispute. This agreement includes commitments to share resources, demilitarize the border region, and exchange equal territories. HRW has requested that the terms of the deal be honored and that local communities gain sufficient access to essential services such as education, water, and housing.
In a related context, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended the agreement, labeling it a “historic achievement.” The border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan remained undefined after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leading to intermittent conflicts over critical agricultural resources, particularly in Tajikistan and the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, culminating in significant violence in 2021.
In conclusion, Human Rights Watch emphasizes the importance of prioritizing human rights in the recent border deal between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. With ongoing allegations of war crimes and historical conflicts impacting civilian populations, it is critical for both countries to ensure justice and the protection of human rights. The ratified deal presents an opportunity to foster peace and establish essential services for affected communities.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
