UNODC and the Law Enforcement Academy Present Results of Crime Victimization Survey Conducted for the First Time in Uzbekistan

On 19 May 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan presented a new report on the experiences of the population in the Fergana Valley with problems of crime and security. The study, which was conducted in Uzbekistan for the first time, used the standardized methodology of the International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS).

To conduct the survey, the Law Enforcement Academy coordinated the work of a group of academics and representatives of various national institutions. Leading international experts in the field of criminology and victimology, Professor Jan van Dijk and Professor John van Kesteren from the Netherlands guided the process. A local research company “Into Research” conducted interviews among a sample of over 3,000 respondents randomly chosen from the local population of Fergana, Andijan and the Namangan regionsp.

“The ICVS is a valuable source of information to policy makers to understand the level and nature of both personal and household crime, as well as people’s perceptions of safety in the community and their confidence in law enforcement agencies”, said Mr. Koen Marquering, Program Coordinator/Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia. “Such data can be used for evidence-based crime prevention policies and monitoring of progress against United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, target 16.1 (Reducing Violence)”, Mr. Marquering added.

The survey results show that in the Fergana Valley cheating in the private sphere, consumer fraud and bribe-seeking by officials are the most commonly occurring types of crimes, whereas crimes involving violence, such as assaults and robberies, are significantly less common.

While the overall level of crime appears low in the covered provinces, reporting to the police lags behind the international average. The levels of satisfaction of reporting victims with police treatment are relatively low as well.  Mr. Uygun Nigmadjanov, Deputy Head of the Law enforcement Academy, emphasized: “This is indicative of a need to institutionalize a more service-oriented style of policing. Strengthening support to victims, in particular women, also appears pertinent.”

The report notes road accidents as a major cause of serious injuries. Chances to be referred for treatment in a hospital because of a road accident are many times higher than as a result of violent crime. According to Mr. Nigmadjanov, this result points to a need for better road safety programs.

A major facilitating factor of violent crime appears to be alcohol abuse, in particular by men. Responsible drinking patterns therefore ought to form part of crime prevention efforts. Evidence-based programs to prevent violence against women and children are also recommended.

The full version of the report is available on UNODC’s website: English Russian and Uzbek versions.