Despite some global progress in human rights, Central Asia remains a region where there are no mechanisms at the legislative level to protect the human rights of the LGBT community in countries. In 2023-2024, countries in the region have seen a consistent deterioration in the human rights situation, repression of human rights defenders, and a significant democratic backsliding. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, where the political situation is characterized by authoritarianism and traditionalism, this backsliding has an extremely negative impact on LGBT people.
The purpose of this report is to analyze the current situation in the countries of Central Asia, where ECOM is able to collect primary data. The report covers the following:
- analysis of key legislative changes;
- position of countries in the region in human rights ratings;
- review of public sentiments and publications in the media;
- position of governments;
- information on the work of international organizations and donors in the region, and their (non-)support
- for LGBT people;
- description of cases of pressure on human rights organizations and persecution of activists.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations for international donors, global organizations, and regional partners to support the LGBT community and strengthen their voices, both within the region of Central Asia and globally.