Child Labour
High Level Hearing on Uzbekistan: “From the Uzbek Cotton Fields to the Termez Military Base”
21.02.2012. Category:Uzbekistan
HIGH LEVEL HEARING
Berlin, February 6, 2012
Dear colleagues,
Dear friends,
We would like to cordially invite you to our next event:
“From the Uzbek Cotton Fields to the Termez Military Base”
A High Level Hearing on Uzbekistan and Germany
Thursday March 1, 2012 from 13:00 – 18:30
In Berlin, in the “Landesvertretung der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg”, Jägerstraße 1, 10117
In this public high-level hearing, experts from governmental, intergovernmental, business, and NGO backgrounds will discuss the relationship between Germany and Uzbekistan. From state-sponsored child labor during the cotton harvesting involving from 1.5 to 2 million Uzbek children each year, to the subversion of basic civil and political rights including the systematic use of torture, the Uzbekistan human rights record is so appalling that the country is considered one of today’s most repressive regimes left in the world. Experts will engage on how political and economical interests of Western Actors impact, positively or negatively, the advancement of human rights in Uzbekistan, with a particular emphasis on Germany’s role and military interests in the context of the NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan.
The hearing will be held in English and German, with simultaneous interpretation. See the outline and the eminent list of speakers below.
This event is co-sponsored by the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, Anti-Slavery International, Human Rights Watch, Uzbekistan Press Freedom Group, terres des hommes, and Eurasian Transition Group.
Please RSVP at hearing@ecchr.eu. We look forward to seeing you!
With warm regards,
Attorney-at-Law Wolfgang Kaleck
ECCHR General Secretary
Hearing Outline
1) 13:00 – 13:30: Introductory Remarks And Video Screening
Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary
Umida Niyazova, Head of the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
2) 13:30 – 15:15: Part I - Who Benefits >From Forced Child Labor in the Cotton Fields?
Experts will discuss the respective roles played by Germany, European companies, the European Union, or the International Labor Organization with regards to the state-sponsored child labor in the Uzbek cotton harvesting. The Uzbekistan government’s monopoly on the cotton production and exports – ranked number 3 in the world – keeps the repressive regime rich and alive. Who benefits from this? What policies and conducts can change this status quo?
Moderator: Miriam Saage-Maaß, ECCHR Business and Human Rights Program Manager
Panelists:
Angelika Graf, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD):
“The role of Germany in eradicating child labor in the Uzbek cotton fields: challenges posed by realpolitik.”
Renate Hornung-Draus, Member of the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Vice President IOE, Managing Director of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA):
“ILO’s efforts to overcome Uzbekistan’s uncooperative stance.”
Representative of the German Ministry for Economics and Technology, Department for foreign trade and investment (Confirmed. Name to be announced).
C&A Representative (to be confirmed):
“Why retailers like C&A boycott Uzbek cotton and with what impact.”
3) 15:15 – 15:45: Coffee Break
4) 15:45 – 17:30: Part II: Germany: Between Strategic Interests and Human Rights Concerns In Uzbekistan
With a southern border with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is considered an important strategic partner for the countries involved in the NATO-led efforts against the Taliban, in particular in the context of the Northern Distribution Network supply lines. For a decade now, Germany has leased from the Uzbek government the Termez military base hosting thousands of German troops. In the meantime, the human rights situation in Uzbekistan still dramatically fails to improve, including since the EU lifting of the sanctions imposed in the aftermath of the Andijan 2005 massacre. How is the pursuit of strategic interests made compatible with a human rights agenda? Experts will discuss how those and other political factors should be approached towards the long-term goal of achieving democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Uzbekistan.
Moderator: Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary
Panelists:
Theo van Boven, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture:
“From the Andijan massacre to findings of “systematic and widespread” torture: how to understand the situation in Uzbekistan.”
Patricia Flor, German Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia for Eastern Europe
Sanjar Umarov, Former Uzbek political prisoner and Chairman of the Sunshine Coalition of Uzbekistan:
“The exercise of civil and political rights in Uzbekistan and the role of the international community.”
Scott Horton, Contributing Editor, Harper’s Magazine:
“Uzbekistan as a Values Dilemma for NATO”
5) 17:30 – 17:50: Concluding Remarks
Jan Egeland, Europe Director at Human Rights Watch, former United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, and former Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
6) 17:50 – 18:30: Cocktail Reception
Berlin, February 6, 2012
Dear colleagues,
Dear friends,
We would like to cordially invite you to our next event:
“From the Uzbek Cotton Fields to the Termez Military Base”
A High Level Hearing on Uzbekistan and Germany
Thursday March 1, 2012 from 13:00 – 18:30
In Berlin, in the “Landesvertretung der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg”, Jägerstraße 1, 10117
In this public high-level hearing, experts from governmental, intergovernmental, business, and NGO backgrounds will discuss the relationship between Germany and Uzbekistan. From state-sponsored child labor during the cotton harvesting involving from 1.5 to 2 million Uzbek children each year, to the subversion of basic civil and political rights including the systematic use of torture, the Uzbekistan human rights record is so appalling that the country is considered one of today’s most repressive regimes left in the world. Experts will engage on how political and economical interests of Western Actors impact, positively or negatively, the advancement of human rights in Uzbekistan, with a particular emphasis on Germany’s role and military interests in the context of the NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan.
The hearing will be held in English and German, with simultaneous interpretation. See the outline and the eminent list of speakers below.
This event is co-sponsored by the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, Anti-Slavery International, Human Rights Watch, Uzbekistan Press Freedom Group, terres des hommes, and Eurasian Transition Group.
Please RSVP at hearing@ecchr.eu. We look forward to seeing you!
With warm regards,
Attorney-at-Law Wolfgang Kaleck
ECCHR General Secretary
Hearing Outline
1) 13:00 – 13:30: Introductory Remarks And Video Screening
Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary
Umida Niyazova, Head of the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights
2) 13:30 – 15:15: Part I - Who Benefits >From Forced Child Labor in the Cotton Fields?
Experts will discuss the respective roles played by Germany, European companies, the European Union, or the International Labor Organization with regards to the state-sponsored child labor in the Uzbek cotton harvesting. The Uzbekistan government’s monopoly on the cotton production and exports – ranked number 3 in the world – keeps the repressive regime rich and alive. Who benefits from this? What policies and conducts can change this status quo?
Moderator: Miriam Saage-Maaß, ECCHR Business and Human Rights Program Manager
Panelists:
Angelika Graf, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD):
“The role of Germany in eradicating child labor in the Uzbek cotton fields: challenges posed by realpolitik.”
Renate Hornung-Draus, Member of the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Vice President IOE, Managing Director of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA):
“ILO’s efforts to overcome Uzbekistan’s uncooperative stance.”
Representative of the German Ministry for Economics and Technology, Department for foreign trade and investment (Confirmed. Name to be announced).
C&A Representative (to be confirmed):
“Why retailers like C&A boycott Uzbek cotton and with what impact.”
3) 15:15 – 15:45: Coffee Break
4) 15:45 – 17:30: Part II: Germany: Between Strategic Interests and Human Rights Concerns In Uzbekistan
With a southern border with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is considered an important strategic partner for the countries involved in the NATO-led efforts against the Taliban, in particular in the context of the Northern Distribution Network supply lines. For a decade now, Germany has leased from the Uzbek government the Termez military base hosting thousands of German troops. In the meantime, the human rights situation in Uzbekistan still dramatically fails to improve, including since the EU lifting of the sanctions imposed in the aftermath of the Andijan 2005 massacre. How is the pursuit of strategic interests made compatible with a human rights agenda? Experts will discuss how those and other political factors should be approached towards the long-term goal of achieving democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Uzbekistan.
Moderator: Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary
Panelists:
Theo van Boven, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture:
“From the Andijan massacre to findings of “systematic and widespread” torture: how to understand the situation in Uzbekistan.”
Patricia Flor, German Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia for Eastern Europe
Sanjar Umarov, Former Uzbek political prisoner and Chairman of the Sunshine Coalition of Uzbekistan:
“The exercise of civil and political rights in Uzbekistan and the role of the international community.”
Scott Horton, Contributing Editor, Harper’s Magazine:
“Uzbekistan as a Values Dilemma for NATO”
5) 17:30 – 17:50: Concluding Remarks
Jan Egeland, Europe Director at Human Rights Watch, former United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, and former Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
6) 17:50 – 18:30: Cocktail Reception
Open letter by NGO's to German Chancellor and Foreign Minister on Uzbek Child Labour
08.12.2011. Category:Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's child slavery: Cotton
23.03.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
A new report released today by the Environmental Justice Foundation exposes how cotton production in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan remains one of the most exploitative enterprises in the world. “Slave Nation” EJF’s reveals how the Government of Uzbekistan continues to lie to the international community while routinely compelling hundreds of thousands of children as labourers in the country’s annual cotton harvest.
With evidence that little has changed despite the promises of the Uzbek Government and with the spring planting season just around the corner, EJF asks whether it will be children forced to pick the crop again when the harvest comes around later this year.
Steve Trent, Executive Director at EJF says “The international community must follow the actions of the private sector - and in particular major European and US retailers - to apply forceful diplomatic and trade pressure to ensure that cotton production in Uzbekistan is no longer characterized by the use of state- sponsored, forced child and adult labour and devastating environmental impacts, to benefit a small, corrupt, ruling elite”.
With evidence that little has changed despite the promises of the Uzbek Government and with the spring planting season just around the corner, EJF asks whether it will be children forced to pick the crop again when the harvest comes around later this year.
Steve Trent, Executive Director at EJF says “The international community must follow the actions of the private sector - and in particular major European and US retailers - to apply forceful diplomatic and trade pressure to ensure that cotton production in Uzbekistan is no longer characterized by the use of state- sponsored, forced child and adult labour and devastating environmental impacts, to benefit a small, corrupt, ruling elite”.
The schoolchildren in the Tashkent Oblast continue hard work at the cotton fields
15.11.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
While the government of Uzbekistan celebrates the cotton victory and Islam Karimov congratulates the cotton growers the schoolchildren of Tashkent Oblast continue working hard at the cotton fields under harsh weather conditions, bringing revenue to the country. And there is no financial interest in such commitment. The local school administrations still have no order "from above" to finish the cotton campaign.More ...
Blood cotton
08.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
This is one of the most shocking stories of forced labour that involves children.
The setting of this story is the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan – one of the most brutal among post-Soviet dictatorships. The Islam Karimov regime is notorious for its ruthless repression of any kind of opposition or threat – political, social or economic.More ...
The setting of this story is the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan – one of the most brutal among post-Soviet dictatorships. The Islam Karimov regime is notorious for its ruthless repression of any kind of opposition or threat – political, social or economic.More ...
Uzbek human rights activists to organize rally and picket to stop child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton fields
08.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
The Uzbek human rights activists are going to organize the rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 with the purpose to stop child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields. The meeting is scheduled to noon time at the Embassy of Uzbekistan at 1746 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC.More ...
Auction of children’s sweat
07.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
While children around the world have access to free and worthy education, their coevals in Uzbekistan don’t have it. The reason is that they are forced to risk their lives in order to satisfy state’s appetite in cotton.More ...
Good intentions and child labor
29.09.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Economic sanctions may be a noble way to show solidarity of some players of international community but those are rarely successful. It may seem obvious but yet it is exactly what is missing in the debates on the issue of child labor in Uzbekistan.More ...
Surkhandarya students pick cotton, ones in Ferghana continue their studies
25.09.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
The Human Rights Society Ezgulik (Mercy) reported classes suspended at approximately 600 schools out of 840 in the Surkhandarja region of Uzbekistan on the order from the regional administration's Directorate of Education.More ...
The army of cotton growers started the battle for harvest
23.09.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
The cropping of raw-cotton is launched in the Khoresm Oblast of Uzbekistan. It is traditionally driven by the populations and dozens of thousands of students of secondary and higher education institutions. The decision to send the youth to the fields was made by local authorities prior to Ramadan holiday – the end of sacred month of Muslim fast (this year it was September 21).
The cotton growers, getting into busesMore ...
The cotton growers, getting into busesMore ...
Activists appeal to the world community with the message to boycott Uzbek cotton
04.06.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
On June 4, the activists of Uzbekistan disseminated the message, where they appeal to the world community to boycott Uzbek cotton, because, according to the letter, "only boycotting can force Karimov’s regime to stop child labor practice".More ...
Open letter of Uzbek activists who call for boycott of Uzbek cotton to stop the practice of forced child labour
03.06.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Despite ratifying International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, Uzbekistan continues to use forced child labor.
Uzbekistan does not reinvest the proceeds from its cotton exports into cotton producers and the rural areas where it is grown, but siphons it into the hands of a small group of the country’s ruling elites.
World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector have not led to genuine reform. Uzbekistan’s continued reliance upon a command economy paves the way for loans to go into the hands of the ruling elite. Activists are calling for international financial instruments to lend to the Uzbek agro-sector only on a conditional basis, to encourage the reforms that would free Uzbek farmers from the tyranny of a corrupt regime.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Uzbek cotton. They call upon companies importing cotton, in particular the Dubai Multi Commodities Center , as well as retailers, to adhere to the principles of corporate social responsibility
The international community should not take at face value mere spoken or written commitments made by Uzbekistan, but should demand actions demonstrating a complete end to the practice of forced child labor that can be verified via an independent monitoring during the cotton season.
Activists call on the U.S. government and the EU to take steps to prevent their markets from being penetrated by products bearing traces of forced child labor.
Full text
Uzbekistan does not reinvest the proceeds from its cotton exports into cotton producers and the rural areas where it is grown, but siphons it into the hands of a small group of the country’s ruling elites.
World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector have not led to genuine reform. Uzbekistan’s continued reliance upon a command economy paves the way for loans to go into the hands of the ruling elite. Activists are calling for international financial instruments to lend to the Uzbek agro-sector only on a conditional basis, to encourage the reforms that would free Uzbek farmers from the tyranny of a corrupt regime.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Uzbek cotton. They call upon companies importing cotton, in particular the Dubai Multi Commodities Center , as well as retailers, to adhere to the principles of corporate social responsibility
The international community should not take at face value mere spoken or written commitments made by Uzbekistan, but should demand actions demonstrating a complete end to the practice of forced child labor that can be verified via an independent monitoring during the cotton season.
Activists call on the U.S. government and the EU to take steps to prevent their markets from being penetrated by products bearing traces of forced child labor.
Full text