Abdulaziz Kamilov on Human Rights: Dialogue with the West Continues, but Taking Uzbekistan’s Mentality into Account

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Abdulaziz Kamilov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy, commented on the country’s relations with U.S. and European human rights organizations in a podcast of the Davra program on the “Uzbekistan 24” TV channel.

The host reminded that in past negotiations, Western partners frequently raised issues of human rights and democracy, and asked how the situation stands today.

Kamilov noted that these topics remain on the agenda, although the United States now raises them less frequently. “The process of democratic transformation cannot be halted. The more the state develops, the more actively this process continues. There will always be shortcomings. At present, one could say the United States has taken a pause and addresses such sensitive issues less often,” he emphasized.

At the same time, the presidential advisor stressed that the country’s doors remain open to European human rights organizations. “But one must understand—Europe remains Europe; nothing has changed there. European human rights organizations are highly developed. We do not close our doors to them. Let them come, observe, and give us advice. If it suits us, of course, we will cooperate. If it does not fit, or does not correspond to our mentality and traditions, we will not accept it. We have no closed topics, absolutely,” Kamilov added.