Accessibility links

Breaking News

Uzbek Officials Deny Forced Sterilization Of Women


Uzbekistan's government has denied reports that the country has had a secret program to sterilize women to control birth rates.

Responding to the claims, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry called the government’s family-planning program a model for other states not only in Central Asia but around the world.

International human rights groups and some Western media have accused the Uzbek government of practicing a state policy of forced sterilization to control the birth rate in the impoverished country.

Uzbekistan, with a population of almost 30 million, is the most populous country in Central Asia.

Basd on reporting by Jahon and AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG