International advocacy organisations have called on Uzbekistan to stop prosecuting homosexuals.

In a joint petition released on Saturday, Amnesty International, Freedom House, the Norwegian Helsinki Commission, the Central Asian Association for Human Rights and other organisations called on the government of Uzbekistan to end the criminalisation and persecution of homosexuals.

In Uzbekistan, men found guilty of having homosexual relations currently face up to three years in prison.

The petitioning organisations cite the January recommendation of the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) and Human Rights Committee for Uzbekistan to strike the article on „sodomy” from their legislation.

A new penal code is currently being drafted in the country, and petitioners say the authorities should take this opportunity to „improve their human rights record.”

Uzbekistan authorities are of the opinion that establishing  homosexual relations is contrary to Islamic teaching, and not compatible with the traditional and cultural norms of the country, furthermore citizens insist on punishment.