Tashkent, 10 February 2026 – Uzbekistan is strengthening its capacity to safely reintegrate individuals returning from conflict zones, with financial and strategic support from the European Union through its Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI). The three-year Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (PRR) programme focuses on returnees from Iraq and Northeast Syria.
Since 2012, more than 4,000 people from Central Asia are believed to have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), making the region the third largest point of origin for foreign fighters. In Uzbekistan alone, over 500 individuals have returned, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated national strategies to address security risks while supporting rehabilitation and social reintegration.
The EU-funded PRR programme complements national efforts by bringing together expertise from international partners – GCERF, Hedayah, and IIJ – to support Uzbekistan in:
- Reinforcing legal and law enforcement systems to prosecute cases effectively and fairly.
- Providing rehabilitation and social reintegration services, including mental health support, vocational training, and community engagement initiatives.
- Reducing stigma and strengthening public awareness, helping communities to safely welcome returnees.
- Building national capacity and resilience, enabling authorities to design evidence-based interventions and long-term strategies for security and social cohesion.
Today, experts from Uzbekistan and partner organisations gathered in Tashkent to confirm shared understanding on priorities, validate coordination mechanisms and agree on practical measures and workplan for 2026. The discussions focused on integrating PRR efforts with national priorities and highlighting Uzbekistan’s innovative approach to combining security, justice, and social support.
“Through the EU FPI, this programme demonstrates Europe’s commitment to safe, humane, and sustainable reintegration approaches. By supporting Uzbekistan to strengthen legal frameworks, empower communities, and provide targeted assistance to returnees, the EU helps enhance security while fostering social cohesion,” said Bakhtiyor Mustafaev, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS).
Through collaboration with national authorities, civil society, and international partners, the EU-supported programme continues to ensure that reintegration is not only a security measure but also an opportunity to build resilient communities, uphold justice, and create long-term stability in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia.
ENDS
Note to editors:
About GCERF
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, GCERF is the only global fund dedicated to preventing violent extremism and terrorism through community-led initiatives in 25 countries at high risk of radicalisation or recidivism. Learn more about GCERF: www.gcerf.org
About Hedayah
Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, The International Centre of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism (Hedayah) leads a global reduction in extremism and violent extremism through partnerships, programs, research, resources and advice that equip governments and civil society to design, implement and monitor effective and sustainable terrorism prevention approaches. Hedayah means ‘guidance’ in Arabic, symbolizing our mission to lead communities and policymakers towards a world without extremism and violent extremism. www.hedayah.com
About IIJ
Based in Valletta, Malta, the IIJ delivers capacity-building to criminal justice practitioners and other stakeholders to address terrorism and related transnational criminal activities in line with human rights and the rule of law, while also promoting cooperation and information exchange on a national, regional and international level. Learn more about the IIJ: https://theiij.org/
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Media Contact
GCERF: Lorene Giorgis, Communications Specialist, l.giorgis@gcerf.org
Hedayah: Saoirse Gleeson, Senior Communications Officer, saoirse.gleeson@hedayah.ae
IIJ: Ali Khair, Communications Manager, khaira@theiij.org