Human Rights Groups Call on Uzbekistan to Decriminalize Same-Sex Relations Amid Surge in Prosecutions

Five international human rights organizations (ECOM, EHRA, ILGA-Europe, MPACT Global Action, and TGEU) have released a joint statement calling on the government of Uzbekistan to repeal Article 120 of its Criminal Code. This article criminalizes consensual sexual relations between men and is actively used to persecute gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women, in the country.

According to human rights defenders, the number of criminal cases under Article 120 in Uzbekistan has risen sharply in recent years. While an average of 17 cases were initiated annually between 2021 and 2023, the number reached 48 in 2024. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, 71 cases were opened. The organizations expressed particular concern over a series of police raids in early 2026: law enforcement officers detained at least 62 people and opened 34 criminal cases. Rights groups believe this indicates a targeted and coordinated campaign against the LGBT community.

Article 120 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan punishes consensual same-sex sexual contact between men with up to three years of restricted liberty or imprisonment. Uzbekistan remains one of the few countries in the post-Soviet region where homosexuality is still a criminal offense.

Human rights advocates emphasize that Article 120 not only discriminates against LGBT people but also creates an environment ripe for police abuse. Previously, ECOM documented instances where law enforcement officers used dating apps to track, detain, blackmail, and extort money from people. TGEU has also reported the systematic persecution of transgender sex workers, who face physical and psychological violence, torture, and unlawful detention. Furthermore, the fear of criminal prosecution hinders HIV prevention efforts and restricts access to medical care.

“Article 120 is not merely a discriminatory legal provision but a structural factor contributing to violations of the right to privacy, law enforcement abuse, and the further marginalization of LGBT people,” the organizations stated.

The human rights groups urge the government of Uzbekistan to repeal Article 120, halt the practice of forced invasive medical examinations on detainees, and ensure the protection of personal data. They also call on international partners and diplomats to raise the issue of repealing the article in dialogues with Uzbek authorities and to support local programs assisting LGBT individuals.