RAISING HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THE GOU

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001895 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UZ SUBJECT: RAISING HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THE GOU REF: A. A) TASHKENT 1822 ¶B. B) TASHKENT 1753 Classified By: P/E Chief Ted Burkhalter; reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador met with First Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov October 31 and pressed again for ICRC prison access (see ref B for more background on ICRC troubles). Ambassador also raised the case of imprisoned human rights activist Mutabar Tojiboyeva, whose family says her health has seriously deteriorated (ref A). ¶2. (C) Nematov repeated the GOU's assertion that ICRC is to blame for current problems. ICRC, he said, has a standing invitation to visit any and all Uzbek prisons but has chosen to play politics instead. Nematov asked Ambassador to convey the GOU's invitation again to ICRC. Nematov did not respond directly to Ambassador's question regarding Tojiboyeva but was aware of the case. ¶3. (C) Ambassador informed ICRC representative October 31 of Nematov's stated willingness to accomodate ICRC visits. The ICRC representative indicated the problem is no longer with MFA but rather with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), with whom ICRC has been unable to confirm satisfactory arrangements. ICRC is continuing its efforts. ¶4. (C) Comment: We will seek to confirm with the MVD that the GOU is prepared not only to agree to ICRC visits but also to follow through on implementation of the proper visit protocol. NORLAND