HRW Advocates for Human Rights in Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Border Agreement

Human Rights Watch urges Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize human rights in their border agreement. Emphasis is placed on investigating war crimes and ensuring justice for victims. The historic deal, signed in March 2025, aims to resolve a conflict marked by violence and resource disputes while promoting cooperation and local welfare.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to prioritize the human rights of local populations in their agreement aimed at resolving the persistent border crisis. Furthermore, HRW advocates for ensuring that victims of war crimes from the 2022 conflict receive justice and are properly acknowledged.

The organization emphasizes the need for both nations to conduct thorough investigations into alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law, while also promoting long-term respect for human rights, including efforts to diminish hate speech. Hugh Williamson, the Europe and Central Asia Director at HRW, stated 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.”

In the aftermath of the 2022 conflict, where over 37 civilians lost their lives and numerous individuals were displaced, allegations of war crimes have arisen against both states. Both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are signatories to the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and indiscriminate warfare.

The border deal, finalized on March 13, 2025, has been ratified by both countries’ legislatures, effectively reopening the 1,000 km border and resolving a long-standing dispute. This agreement mandates mutual resource sharing, demilitarization of the area, and equal territorial exchanges. HRW insists that the terms of this agreement are adhered to and that the local populations receive essential services such as education, water, and housing.

In conclusion, Human Rights Watch’s call for prioritizing human rights in the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border agreement highlights the importance of building trust and addressing past injustices. The implementation of this deal should include thorough investigations into war crimes and facilitate the enhancement of local living conditions. Ultimately, ensuring justice and respect for human rights is crucial for lasting peace between the two nations.

Original Source: www.jurist.org