Empire

Overview

Uzbekistan is the most populous Central Asian country and has the largest armed forces. There is no real internal opposition and the media is tightly controlled by the state. A UN report has described the use of torture as "systematic".

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: Long-term leader Islam Karimov tolerates no opposition; political and rights activists have fled. He shows no signs of giving up power Economics: Uzbekistan is a leading cotton grower. Natural gas is a big attraction abroad. Central control of the economy dates back to the Soviet era. Most people are poor International: Many countries keep Uzbekistan at arm's length over its rights record. The European Union imposed sanctions after the crackdown on unrest in Andijan

Uzbekistan is one of the world's biggest producers of cotton and is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas and gold. However, rigid political control is mirrored in the tightly centralised planning of the economy. Economic reform has been painfully slow and poverty and unemployment are widespread.

The World Bank announced in early 2006 that it would make no new loans to Uzbekistan for the foreseeable future. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced in 2004 that it was slashing aid to Uzbekistan because of the country's failure to reform and its poor human rights record.

Following the 11 September attacks on the US, Uzbekistan won favour with Washington by allowing its forces a base in Uzbekistan, affording ready access across the Afghan border. US aid increased for a time. But human rights observers said the international community was failing to respond adequately to the many reported cases of abuse and torture.

The country has faced sporadic bombings and shootings in recent years. The authorities have been quick to blame Islamic extremists for the dozens of deaths caused.

The most recent violence came in the eastern city of Andijan in May 2005 when troops opened fire on protesters against the jailing of people charged with Islamic extremism. Witnesses reported a bloodbath with several hundred civilian deaths. The Uzbek authorities put the overall toll at less than 190.

The EU imposed sanctions when the authorities rejected calls for an international inquiry and the US threatened to withold aid. Soon afterwards parliament voted to demand that US forces leave their base in the south of the country.

Opponents of President Karimov blamed the authorities' brutal determination to crush all dissent. The president blamed fundamentalists seeking the overthrow of constitutional order and the establishment of a Muslim caliphate in Central Asia.

At what many outside observers described as a show trial, 15 people were later convicted of organising the unrest and jailed for between 14 and 20 years. Dozens of others were also jailed for lengthy terms.

The president's uncompromising policies have at times created friction between Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries and Uzbekistan has been wary of moves towards closer political integration.

President Karimov describes Russia as Tashkent's "most reliable partner and ally". In November 2005 the two countries signed an agreement paving the way for much closer military co-operation.

Facts

• Population: 27.8 million (UN, 2008)
• Capital: Tashkent
• Area: 447,400 sq km (172,700 sq miles)
• Major language: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik
• Major religion: Islam
• Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Uzbek som = 100 tiyins
• Main exports: Cotton, gold, natural gas, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, motor vehicles
• GNI per capita: US $730 (World Bank, 2007)
• Internet domain: .uz
• International dialling code: +998