Valijon Kalonov, a 55-year-old Uzbek blogger and social media activist, is currently being held in forced psychiatric detention in Samarkand. An opinion issued by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) in February 2025 concluded that his detention is arbitrary and a grave violation of international human rights standards, recommending his immediate release and compensation.

Why Valijon Kalonov is in Psychiatric Detention:

  • Exercise of Freedom of Expression: Valijon was arrested and detained primarily for exercising his right to freedom of opinion and expression. He published his opinions on socio-political issues on social media, including criticizing the President of Uzbekistan regarding relations with other countries, alleged corruption, and China’s treatment of Uyghurs. He also called on the President not to run in the 2021 presidential election.
  • Charges Related to Online Speech: His arrest followed that introduced prison sentences for insulting the President on the Internet. He was the first person to be charged with an amendment to Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code: the criminal offence of public insult or defamation of the President using social media and the Internet. In addition, he was charged with making, storing, distributing, and displaying materials threatening public safety and order.
  • Forced Psychiatric Treatment: Although Valijon has no history of mental illness, a court ruled in December 2021, that he could not be held criminally liable based on a state-commissioned psychiatric examination which concluded he suffered from chronic mental illness, did not understand his actions, and required compulsory treatment. He was subsequently committed to a psychiatric clinic where he remains. He has no right or possibility to leave without a court order.
  • “Punitive Psychiatry”: Human rights organizations and the WGAD highlight this case as an example of a pattern where Uzbek authorities exploit mental health laws and use “punitive psychiatry” to silence and discredit human rights defenders and social media activists who criticize the government.

The Opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention:

  • Arbitrary Detention (Freedom of Expression): The WGAD explicitly found Valijon’s deprivation of liberty arbitrary because it resulted from his exercise of freedom of opinion and expression. The government acknowledged he was detained for exercising this right, even while contending it was abused. Restrictions on freedom of expression must comply with strict requirements and cannot be invoked to stifle advocacy for multi-party democracy or to punish peaceful expression of critical views. The use of psychiatric detention to restrict freedom of expression or to punish political views is unacceptable.
  • Arbitrary Detention (Discrimination): The WGAD also concluded that Valijon is detained based on his political opinion, which violates international law on grounds of discrimination. His case exemplifies a broader pattern of discrimination against government critics through forced psychiatric treatment and other punitive measures.
  • Violation of International Treaties: Valijon’s detention contravenes articles 2, 7, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Uzbekistan is a State party.
  • Concerns about Fair Trial: The WGAD acknowledged serious concerns regarding inadequate legal assistance, restricted access to legal counsel, and the lack of independent psychiatric assessment. 
  • Human Dignity and Abuse: The involuntary psychiatric treatment of individuals based on political beliefs or expression is a grave human rights violation and undermines mental health care integrity, erodes justice principles, and violates human dignity. Valijon has reported beatings by staff and forced medical injections which have caused health problems.

Call to Action:

We urge the Government of Uzbekistan to immediately release Valijon Kalonov from forced psychiatric detention and provide him with an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations! This arbitrary deprivation of liberty, based on his political opinions and exercise of free speech, is a clear breach of the Government of Uzbekistan’s international human rights obligations. We further call for:

  • A full, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Valijon’s arbitrary detention and the alleged misuse of psychiatric treatment, and that those responsible are held accountable.
  • Legislative amendments and changes in practice to align Uzbekistan’s laws with its international human rights obligations, particularly regarding freedom of expression and the prevention of “punitive psychiatry”.
  • Ensuring all persons deprived of liberty are treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity.

The international community must press Uzbekistan to respect the decisions of UN human rights bodies and safeguard the rights of individuals against arbitrary and discriminatory practices that seek to silence dissent under the guise of medical treatment. Free Valijon Kalonov Now!