KAZAKHSTAN: UZBEK REFUGEE DETAINED BY AUTHORITIES

UNCLAS ALMATY 002291 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA- HELBLING),DRL/IRF (N. HEWETT),PRM/ECA (R. OLSON) GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF UZ KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: UZBEK REFUGEE DETAINED BY AUTHORITIES REF: A. ALMATY 1070, B. ALMATY 598 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Kazakhstani security officials have detained an Uzbek citizen holding a UNHCR refugee certificate, purportedly in connection with crimes committed in Kazakhstan. UNHCR reports that the MFA has not responded formally to their numerous inquiries and requests for access, but has unofficially told them that the KNB is holding the individual, Gabdurafikh Temirbayev. UNHCR is concerned that Temirbayev could be deported to Uzbekistan. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) UNHCR protection officer Narasimha Rao confirmed to pol-econ chief on June 27 that press reports regarding the June 24 detention of Uzbek refugee Gabdurafikh Temirbayev in Almaty were largely accurate. Temirbayev was a follower of Imam Nazarov (Ref A) from Tashkent, not an Andijon refugee as reported in some articles, Rao said. According to information published by his family, Temirbayev arrived in Kazakhstan in March 1999. ¶3. (SBU) Rao indicated that Temirbayev had been the focus of Kazakhstani security forces for some time. While Temirbayev was living in Shymkent before coming to Almaty to apply for refugee status, the authorities searched his home and seized documents. After he moved to Almaty, KNB officials visited the refugee assistance officer at the Kazakhstani International Bureau of Human Rights (KIBHR) to ask for Temirbayev's address. The officials reportedly told KIBHR that Temirbayev was wanted on criminal charges in Kazakhstan. KIBHR referred the KNB officers to UNHCR. ¶4. (SBU) Rao said that as this incident occurred before a determination had been made in Temirbayev's case, UNHCR had written to the MFA to report the inquiry and to ask whether there were any charges pending against the Uzbek citizen. The MFA replied approximately one month ago that there were no pending charges, according to Rao. He said that UNHCR issued Temirbayev a refugee certificate on June 16 on the basis of the information from the MFA. ¶5. (SBU) Rao told pol-econ chief that UNHCR had sent the MFA at least five notes verbale in the days since Temirbayev's detention. There had been no formal response, but MFA officials told UNHCR by phone that Temirbayev was in KNB custody and promised to arrange access in the next few days. Rao noted that the lack of a written response made it difficult for the UNHCR to comment publicly on the case, since in the past the GOK had denied information shared verbally regarding other Uzbek refugees (Ref B). ¶6. (SBU) There is a risk that Temirbayev could be deported to Uzbekistan, according to Rao. Before the detention he had reassured Temirbayev and his relatives that Kazakhstani authorities would respect their international commitments, but now it was clear that proper interagency coordination was not taking place. UNCHR representative Cesar Dubon has said that if there is not a formal GOK response in the coming days, he will brief ambassadors in Almaty and request interested governments to weigh in with the GOK. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Post will continue to follow this case closely and will raise with the MFA at the earliest opportunity. End comment. ORDWAY