Uzbekistan has become the second country in the world that the U.S Department of State has withdrawn from the “Countries of Particular Concern” list (CPC) over the past 20 years, Kun.uz correspondent reports citing Chris Seiple, head of the American Institute for Global Engagement (IGE).
“Removing Uzbekistan from the CPC list is a timely and correct decision. This is a result of significant progress in Uzbekistan. It should be noted that only two countries have been removed from this list in its 20-year history: Vietnam and now Uzbekistan,” Chris Seiple said, commenting on the decision of the U.S. Department of State.
It is worth recalling that Chris Seiple, as part of the delegation of ambassador-at-large Sam Brownback, visited Uzbekistan this fall, during which the Institute for Global Engagement signed a tripartite Memorandum with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies and the Independent Institute for Monitoring the Formation of a Civil Society for the Creation of a Special Working Group to promote religious freedom in Uzbekistan.
In addition, the progress made by Uzbekistan was also noted by representatives of the American establishment during the Helsinki Commission’s hearings held on 11 December on the occasion of the announcement of State Department’s decision.
Opening the hearings, Senator Roger Wicker said: “Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has become the only country from this list that is committed to fulfilling its international obligations and is taking significant measures to carry out the necessary reforms.”
“Uzbekistan can become an even stronger partner of the United States and our goal is to promote the economic prosperity of the country, which will become a model of development in the region and beyond,” the senator noted.
He also added that “the government of Uzbekistan has a strong commitment to further reforms, and the Congress will continue to work closely with all interested parties to achieve common goals.”
Ambassador-at-large Sam Brownback, who made a report, also stressed that “the new leadership of Uzbekistan is truly committed to the transformation process and significant progress has been made in the country not only in the field of religious freedoms, but also in the field of forced labor and human rights in general.”