An international human rights group says the United Nations has missed a key opportunity to respond to Uzbekistan's crackdown on human rights.
Human Rights Watch issued the statement after the U.N. Human Rights Council decided to continue to examine Uzbekistan's record in private instead of holding a public review.
The group says the council's decision sends the message that Uzbekistan's refusal to cooperate with the international community carries no real consequences.
Human rights groups say Uzbek troops killed hundreds of unarmed protesters in 2005 at an anti-government demonstration in the eastern city of Andijan. Uzbekistan blames Islamic militants for the violence, and said only 187 people were killed.
Human Rights Watch is urging members of the U.N. rights council to reconsider their approach to dealing with Uzbekistan.