UZBEKISTAN: INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY INTENSIFIES IN THE CASE OF DEFENCE LAWYER ABDULAZIZ RAZZOKOV – JPTi CALLS ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS TO ACT
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Geneva, 20 February 2026 — Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) provides an update on its ongoing international and domestic advocacy concerning the case of defence lawyer Abdulaziz Razzokovich Razzokov, who has been deprived of his liberty since 3 October 2023 in circumstances raising serious concerns under international human rights law.
On 15 December 2025, JPTi submitted a formal complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. On 5 January 2026, JPTi transmitted a supplementary submission and a draft proposed communication to the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan in order to facilitate the Working Group’s consideration of the case. On 10 February 2026, JPTi addressed a follow-up communication to the Working Group and relevant Special Procedures mandate holders, requesting expedited consideration in light of the gravity of the allegations.
In parallel, on 22 January 2026, JPTi issued a detailed public press release analysing the case as a critical test for Uzbekistan’s rule-of-law reforms:
On 23 January 2026, the international platform Defend Lawyers echoed and amplified these concerns:
On 6 February 2026, the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD) published an alert on the case following verification with JPTi:
JPTi expresses sincere appreciation to Defend Lawyers and to the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger for their professional engagement and solidarity in highlighting the risks faced by lawyers in institutionally sensitive cases.
At the domestic level, on 27 January 2026, JPTi formally transmitted a comprehensive evidentiary file to the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), requesting an independent examination of the lawfulness of Mr Razzokov’s deprivation of liberty, the allegations of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and the interference with his professional activities.
Call to the National Human Rights Centre and the Ombudsman
Justice pour Tous Internationale respectfully calls upon the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman) to exercise their mandates proactively and independently in this case.
In light of the seriousness of the allegations, including procedural irregularities, alleged coercive detention conditions, disappearance of potentially exculpatory material, and interference with lawyer–client confidentiality, effective engagement by national human rights institutions is indispensable. Independent review and transparent findings are essential to restore violated rights, prevent further harm, and reinforce institutional credibility.
JPTi urges the National Human Rights Centre, in particular, to ensure that communications and potential interim measures issued by United Nations human rights mechanisms in this case are processed promptly, transparently, and in full compliance with Uzbekistan’s international obligations.
Welcoming the Presidential Decree of 17 February 2026
On 17 February 2026, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Decree No. PF–27 introducing amendments to the 2020 Decree approving the National Human Rights Strategy. The decree establishes a structured and time-bound procedure for reviewing communications from United Nations human rights charter bodies and treaty bodies, including urgent appeals, interim measures, and concluding observations.
In particular, the amendments to Annex 3 of the Decree introduce a clear mechanism for handling interim measures transmitted by United Nations treaty bodies. Under the new framework, once a request for interim measures is received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it must be transmitted within one day to the National Human Rights Centre and the Ministry of Justice. The National Human Rights Centre must, within one day, request responsible state authorities to take urgent measures and, where necessary, provide reasoned explanations. Relevant state bodies are required to respond within three days, indicating measures taken or planned. Based on the information received, the Centre, together with a working group, must formulate the Government’s official position within three days and forward it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is required to transmit it to the relevant United Nations treaty body within two days.
Justice pour Tous Internationale welcomes this development as a positive institutional step toward ensuring timely and coordinated responses to United Nations interim measures. The establishment of explicit deadlines and defined institutional responsibilities strengthens procedural clarity and has the potential to enhance compliance with international human rights obligations.
However, the credibility of this reform will ultimately depend on its effective implementation in concrete cases. The case of Abdulaziz Razzokov presents a direct and immediate opportunity to demonstrate that strengthened procedural mechanisms translate into substantive protection of rights, including protection against arbitrary detention, torture, and interference with the independence of the legal profession.
The detention and prosecution of a practising defence lawyer in circumstances engaging allegations of coercion, procedural irregularities, and interference with professional secrecy raise issues of profound importance for the rule of law in Uzbekistan.
Justice pour Tous Internationale remains committed to pursuing all lawful domestic and international avenues to ensure that Mr Razzokov’s violated rights are restored, that allegations of torture and procedural abuse are independently investigated, and that institutional safeguards protecting lawyers are strengthened in line with international standards.
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