Uzbekistan considers mandatory HIV testing for migrants and foreigners — the proposal sparks debate.
Uzbekistan is considering introducing mandatory HIV testing for citizens returning from abroad and for foreign nationals arriving in the country.
A parliamentary faction of the Democratic Party “Milliy Tiklanish” has discussed a draft law that would require mandatory HIV tests for Uzbek citizens who stayed abroad for more than three months, as well as for foreign nationals entering the country. The proposal has stirred debate — while some officials support it, human rights advocates and migrant workers express concern.
Rise in HIV infections among migrants
According to the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, nearly one-third of all HIV cases in the country involve labor migrants. In 2024, 1.7 million citizens returned to Uzbekistan, but only around 434,000 of them underwent voluntary testing. HIV was detected in 1,500 individuals.
On June 10, Deputy Head of the Agency for External Labor Migration Matlab Kuranov stated that HIV cases among migrants had increased by 23.7% compared to the previous year. He also reported that among the 903 tested spouses of infected migrants, 262 were also diagnosed with the virus.
Who will be subject to mandatory HIV testing
According to the draft law, mandatory HIV testing would apply to:
- Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who spent more than 90 days abroad;
- Foreign nationals and stateless persons permanently residing in Uzbekistan;
- Foreign nationals arriving in Uzbekistan for employment.
For Uzbek citizens, the testing would be funded by the state budget. Foreigners would pay for the test themselves. The estimated cost is 90,000 soums (about $7) for residents and 180,000 soums (about $14) for non-residents.
The Republican AIDS Center explained that the 90-day threshold is based on the HIV incubation period — the infection may become detectable within three months after exposure.
Public reaction and criticism
Some MPs expressed opposition to the proposal. Nodirdek Tilavoldiyev, a member of the “Milliy Tiklanish” faction, said the draft law violates human rights.
He argued that it infringes on the rights to equality, non-discrimination, and life, and that Uzbekistan, having ratified most international human rights conventions, should not adopt legislation that contradicts them.
In response, representatives of the migration service noted that similar practices exist in many countries, including Russia — where the majority of Uzbek migrants live and where HIV prevalence is high.
Lawyer and founder of migrant.uz Botirjon Shermuhammad emphasized that many Uzbeks work abroad for 9–12 months rather than just three, and therefore the risk of infection, especially through sexual transmission, remains high. He called for a pragmatic approach to the issue.
Migrants’ concerns
Some Uzbeks working abroad worry that the introduction of mandatory testing may reinforce negative stereotypes, portraying migrants as engaging in risky behavior. They fear it may lead to further stigmatization of returning workers.
Erkin, an Uzbek migrant in South Korea, told Radio Liberty that many in Uzbekistan still believe HIV is only transmitted through sexual contact, which could result in social judgment toward migrants if the law is adopted.
Other migrants pointed out that a negative test result at the time of entry does not guarantee future protection. They believe the focus should be on raising awareness about HIV transmission and prevention, rather than enforcing mandatory screening.
Previous attempts and current status
The idea of mandatory testing has been raised before. In 2013, Uzbekistan adopted a law on combating the spread of HIV, and in 2018, a proposal to mandate testing for those who had spent over 90 days abroad was discussed but never implemented.
This time, the draft law has received support at the parliamentary faction level, but has not yet been submitted for a full session of the Legislative Chamber. The discussion is ongoing.