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Uzbekistan's Forced Labor Problem
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Reports of Forced Labor in Turkmenistan's Cotton Sector
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Uzbek Forum Key Findings 2020
Governments
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What other governments can do
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What the World Bank and Asian Development Bank can do
What the International Labor Organization can do
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What companies operating in Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan can do
What companies that use cotton can do
What investors can do
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Media
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Independent Union Faces Intimidation
Turkmenistan 2020 Harvest
A Changing Landscape in Uzbek Cotton Production
Bennett Freeman Remarks at ILO Roundtable
News
Videos
Blog
Uzbekistan: First Independent Labor Union Faces Intimidation
March 24, 2021
Joint Civil Society Monitoring Find Systemic Forced Labor in Turkmen Cotton Harvest
March 23, 2021
A Changing Landscape in Uzbek Cotton Production
January 27, 2021
Bennett Freeman Remarks at ILO Roundtable
January 27, 2021
Brands Need Assurances on Forced Labor and Civil Society in Uzbekistan
April 16, 2020
Uzbekistan: Efforts Underway to End Forced Labor; Cotton Campaign and Uzbek Government Deepen Dialogue, Urgent Work Remains
November 1, 2019
Uzbekistan: Amidst reform effort, journalists and activists face criminal charges, arbitrary detention, forced psychiatric treatment
October 16, 2019
Gaspar Matalaev Free after Three Years of Unjust Imprisonment
September 9, 2019
A Roadmap of Reforms to End State-Sponsored Forced Labor in Uzbekistan
June 26, 2019
Turkmenistan Remains at Lowest Possible Ranking in US Trafficking in Persons Report
June 21, 2019
Civil Society, Global Brands, and Responsible Investors Demand Change in Turkmenistan
May 23, 2019
UGF Report: Despite Progress, Systemic Forced Labor Persists in Uzbekistan's 2018 Cotton Harvest
April 4, 2019
Cotton Campaign Meets with Senior Uzbek Officials in Washington - Parties Agree to Intensify Dialogue on Ending Forced Labor
February 15, 2019
Despite Commitment and Efforts, Systematic Forced Labor in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Fields was Present During the 2018 Harvest
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December 13, 2018
Protest at United Nations Calls on Turkmenistan to End Forced Labor in Cotton Industry
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84,000 Demand Freedom for Journalist Gaspar Matalaev.
October 1, 2018
Join Us in New York on October 1st to Protest Forced Labor in Turkmenistan
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Bring attention to both the continued forced labor practices and the arbitrary detainment of Gaspar Matalaev, while the Turkmen president is speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.
September 25, 2018
Forced labor down in spring cotton work, systemic problems remain
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Public sector workers not mobilized en masse to work in Uzbek cotton fields in Spring 2018.
September 10, 2018
Uzbekistan Should Stay on the U.S. Department of Labor Forced Child Labor List.
August 29, 2018
U.S. Decision Fails Forced Labor Victims in Uzbekistan.
The Uzbek Government Needs to Close the Gap Between Words and Actions on Ending Systematic Forced Labor.
June 28, 2018
United States Maintains Strong Stand Against Forced Labor in Turkmenistan’s Cotton Production.
Turkmenistan Remains in the Lowest Possible Ranking in the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
June 28, 2018
Cotton Campaign presents recommendations to end forced labor to government officials in Uzbekistan.
Constructive discussions in Tashkent with a big task ahead – to end systematic forced labor in cotton production.
May 30, 2018
U.S. Customs Halts Imports of Forced Labor Cotton and Cotton Goods from Turkmenistan
May 23, 2018
Media Advisory: Cotton Campaign sends delegation to Uzbekistan
After a decade of advocacy against forced labor, Cotton Campaign to present roadmap of reforms to Uzbek government
May 4, 2018
State lifts restrictions on Uzbek human rights defender
Forced labor monitor Uktam Pardaev has terms of his probation lifted in Uzbekistan
April 11, 2018
Uzbekistan: Some workers excused from cotton fields
October 5, 2017
Turkmen games commence amid season of forced labor
September 19, 2017
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan remain in the lowest possible ranking in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report
June 27, 2017
Cotton Campaign outraged at death of Uzbek labor rights activist
Global coalition demands immediate release for allied activist still imprisoned
June 22, 2017
Three years imprisonment for documenting forced and child labor
Human rights groups condemn detention of Turkmen activist on false charges
March 23, 2017
Uzbekistan: ILO Report Confirms Forced Labor But Government Role Undermined Research
February 16, 2017
Uzbek Government Detains Independent German Journalist
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Another incident in a series of actions to repress free speech in the Central Asian country.
November 21, 2016
Letter to Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., US Under Secretary for Political Affairs re: his trip to Central Asia
In light of Under Secretary Shannon's current visit to Central Asia, Cotton Campaign urges the US government to reinforce its efforts against forced labor in Uzbekistan.
October 25, 2016
World Bank Potentially Liable for Supporting Forced Labor in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Sector
ILRF report finds World Bank in violation of international law on responsibility of international organizations for financial complicity in international crimes
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На русском языке
)
September 13, 2016
After Karimov, What's Next?
Cotton Campaign urges successors to end state-sponsored forced labor in Uzbekistan
(
На русском языке
)
September 12, 2016
Uzbekistan: Forced Labor Linked to World Bank Corporate Loan
Complaint Filed in Cotton Production Case
(
Русский вариант
)
July 6, 2016
United States takes strong stand against forced labor in cotton
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan downgraded in annual anti-trafficking report
June 30, 2016
International Workers, Employers, Governments Call on Turkmenistan to End Forced Labour
(
Русский вариант
)
June 13, 2016
Human rights defender Elena Urlaeva released
Uzbek Government forcibly detained her in a hospital for more than a month
(Русский вариант)
June 3, 2016
Cotton Farmers & Workers demand freedom from forced labor
May 30, 2016
Uzbekistan Government Detains Human Rights Defender Elena Urlaeva in a Psychiatric Hospital
May 19, 2016
Asian Development Bank: Heed Local Voices
Support Participation, Accountability in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan
May 1, 2016
U.S. Customs Called on to Halt Imports of Forced Labor-made Cotton Goods from Turkmenistan
Formal Complaint Filed Today Under the Tariff Act of 1930
April 6, 2016
Uzbek and global activists petition World Bank President to Suspend Payments
New report documents state-led forced labor in 2015 cotton harvest within World Bank project areas in Uzbekistan
March 9, 2016
Uzbekistan: End Prolonged Detention of Human Rights Defender
Uzbek government should unconditionally release Uktam Pardaev
December 18, 2015
ILO Report Reaffirms Forced Labor in Uzbekistan
World Bank should suspend agricultural loans until the Uzbek government takes real steps to end state-sponsored forced labor
December 17, 2015
Uzbekistan: Police Arrest Human Rights Monitor in Retaliation for Reporting State-led Forced Labor
November 17, 2015
Uzbekistan: Human Rights Defender’s House Burned Down as Government Silences Him with Charges
October 29, 2015
Uzbek government subjects human rights defenders to body-cavity searches
Harassment is the latest in a spate of arrests and attacks of human rights defenders
October 1, 2015
Uzbekistan: Police Arrest Uzbek Human Rights Defenders for Documenting the Cotton Harvest
September 21, 2015
Cotton Harvests Underway in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: Top 5 Issues to Track
September 3, 2015
Korean Government Breaks with the OECD, United Nations with Assertion That Companies Have No Responsibility for Human Rights in their Supply Chains:
Daewoo International approaches 20 years of knowingly buying forced labor cotton in Uzbekistan
August 3, 2015
Human Trafficking: U.S. Decisions Fails Forced Labor Victims:
Uzbekistan placement supports state-sponsored forced labor
July 27, 2015
Human Trafficking: U.S. Decisions Fails Forced Labor Victims:
Turkmenistan placement support state-sponsored forced labor
July 27, 2015
Norway Refuses to Assess NBIM’s Financial Link to Forced Labor
NBIM urged to exclude Daewoo International for profiting from forced labor
July 14, 2015
Uzbek police brutalize human rights monitor Elena Urlaeva
June 2, 2015
Uzbek Government Forces Labor & Extorts Funds From Citizens and Corporations
April 13, 2015
Uzbek government arrests and deports international labor rights consultant
March 24, 2015
World Bank: No Probe of Link to Abuses in Uzbekistan
February 2, 2015
World Bank: Investigate Uzbekistan’s Forced Labor- Inspection Panel Should Ensure Funds Not Used for Abuses
December 17, 2014
Petition to the OECD Seeks to End Daewoo's Use of Cotton Harvested with Forced & Child Labor in Uzbekistan
December 3, 2014
Government of Uzbekistan Increased Forced Labor of Adults in 2014 Cotton Harvest
November 13, 2014
“Uzbekistan: No Advancement,” concludes United States Labor Department
October 8, 2014
Global Day of Action to End Forced Labor in the Cotton Sector in Uzbekistan
September 30, 2014
Statement from the Cotton Campaign on the Start of the Cotton Harvest in Uzbekistan
September 8, 2014
Protest at Daewoo in Seoul Against Forced Labor Profiteering
July 9, 2014
Government of Uzbekistan: Release Farmer Alikul Sarymsakov
June 30, 2014
Uzbekistan: US Decision Aids Forced Labor Victims
June 20, 2014
World Bank: Problematic Uzbekistan Projects Approved
June 12, 2014
Concerns About World Bank Loans to the Agriculture Sector of Uzbekistan
May 27, 2014
Daewoo: Help End Uzbek Cotton Slavery
February 12, 2014
Global Coalition Calls on the Asian Development Bank to Halt Project Supporting the Cotton Industry in Uzbekistan
January 27, 2014
State forced-labour system continued throughout the 2013 cotton harvest in Uzbekistan, despite the presence of International Labour Organization monitors
November 27, 2013
Police Detain South Korean Visitors & Uzbek Human Rights Leader
October 3, 2013
Uzbekistan: Journalist Sergei Naumov Detained, after Reporting on Forced Labor
September 27, 2013
Asian Development Bank: Reconsider Uzbekistan Project
September 11, 2013
Formal Complaint Filed with the World Bank Inspection Panel
September 10, 2013
Statement from the Cotton Campaign on the Start of the Cotton Harvest in Uzbekistan
September 9, 2013
Daewoo International: Stop Profiting from Forced Labor & Start Respecting Workers
August 9, 2013
Activists Demonstrate at Nike Flagship Store, Call on Nike to Drop Company Profiting from Forced Labor Cotton
July 24, 2013
Advocacy Groups to Dow Jones: South Korean Company’s Transgressions Merit Removal from Sustainability Index
July 9, 2013
Activists Demonstrate at Nike Store, Call on Nike to Drop Company Profiting from Forced Labor Cotton
July 6, 2013
United States urges Uzbekistan to end forced labor
June 19, 2013
International Workers, Employers, Governments Call on Uzbekistan to End Forced Labour
June 11, 2013
ILRF Calls on U.S. Customs Service to Halt Imports of Forced Labor Cotton from Uzbekistan
May 15, 2013
Uzbekistan continues forced labor: U.S. should urge reform
April 16, 2013
Demonstration for Human Rights: Today, 12:00 PM at Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, DC
March 11, 2013
Uzbekistan: Call to Action to the US Government
January 31, 2013
Uzbekistan: Forced Labor Widespread in Cotton Harvest More Adults, Older Children Required to Work, Abuses Persist
January 26, 2013
Consumers and Retailers: Take Action Now!
January 13, 2013
Uzbekistan 2012 Cotton Harvest: Continued State-Sponsored Forced Labor of Children and Adults
December 20, 2012
Human Rights Defenders Need Protection: Ezgulik Press Release
November 18, 2012
Over 100 Apparel Brands and Companies Have Signed the Cotton Pledge
November 1, 2012
End Cotton Crimes: Remove Trade Preferences for Uzbek Cotton
October 29, 2012
Inditex Responds to Walk Free- Pledges to Boycott Forced-Labor Cotton from Uzbekistan
October 25, 2012
French OECD Office Condemns Trade of Products issued from Child Labor as Flagrant Violation of OECD Guidelines
October 8, 2012
Uzbek Citizens Call to "Boycott Uzbek Textile and Companies Using It"
September 20, 2012
Cotton Campaign Calls on UBTIC to End Its Support for State-Sponsored Forced Labor System of Cotton Production
September 13, 2012
Government of Uzbekistan Fails to Allow ILO Monitoring of Cotton Harvest: Urgent Call to Action for Governments & Companies
September 10, 2012
Cotton Campaign Calls on AUCC Members to Safeguard Human Rights in Uzbekistan
August 15, 2012
EU Special Representative for Central Asia: Urge the Uzbek government to invite the ILO to monitor the cotton harvest
July 25, 2012
Uzbekistan: US Report Fails Child Labor Victims- Unwillingness to Impose Meaningful Consequences Allows Abuses to Continue
June 20, 2012
Uzbekistan: Grant Access to Cotton Monitors- EU Support for ILO Mission Crucial to Ending Forced Child Labor
May 31, 2012
About
Who We Are
Uzbekistan's Forced Labor Problem
>
Reports
Chronicle of Forced Labor
Photos/Video
FAQs
Turkmenistan's Forced Labor Problem
>
Reports of Forced Labor in Turkmenistan's Cotton Sector
Forced Labor Cotton in Other Countries
Contact
Countries
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
>
Uzbek Forum Key Findings 2020
Governments
>
What other governments can do
International Organizations
>
What the World Bank and Asian Development Bank can do
What the International Labor Organization can do
Companies
>
What companies operating in Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan can do
What companies that use cotton can do
What investors can do
Take Action
Media
Press Releases
>
Independent Union Faces Intimidation
Turkmenistan 2020 Harvest
A Changing Landscape in Uzbek Cotton Production
Bennett Freeman Remarks at ILO Roundtable
News
Videos
Blog