Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE112223
2008-10-21 21:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK
how-toVZCZCXRO0767 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHC #2223 2952124 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 212120Z OCT 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 4686 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 112223
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE UZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
UNCLAS STATE 112223
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE UZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at
the October 23, 2008, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
in Vienna.
Begin Text:
Mr. Chairman,
The United States would like to take this opportunity to note
some specific positive developments in Uzbekistan on
religious freedom and human rights, and to follow-up on a few
cases of concern. We commend the Government of Uzbekistan's
decision in late September to drop religious extremism
charges against Protestant Aimurat Khayburahmanov in
Karakalpakstan, and to release from custody in mid-October
human rights activists Dilmurd Mukhiddinov and Mamarajab
Nazarov. These cases are discrete but important examples of
how the Uzbek government is making progress toward meeting
its OSCE commitments.
Nevertheless, the United States shares a deep concern about
the issues raised by the Representative of Freedom of the
Media Miklos Haraszti about the sentencing in Karakalpakstan
on October 10th of journalist Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov to ten
years' imprisonment on drug charges. The facts surrounding
Mr. Abdurakhmanov's arrest and trial suggest that he may have
been targeted by local authorities for prosecution as a
result of his reporting. The timing of this sentencing was
especially disappointing, as it followed on the heels of an
EU-sponsored conference in Tashkent on media freedom.
The United States is also concerned about the continuing
trial in Karakalpakstan of human rights activist Akzam
Turgunov on extortion charges. We are disturbed by reports
that a police officer poured boiling hot water on Mr.
Turgunov's back during his pre-trial detention. We understand
that a court investigation dismissed these allegations, but
we have received credible reports to the contrary.
Finally, the United States would like to follow up on
concerns we raised in the Permanent Council on May 8th
concerning the health of imprisoned political oppositionist
Sanjar Umarov. We understand from credible reports that Mr.
Umarov's health continues to deteriorate in prison to a point
where we worry about his survival. We urge the Government of
Uzbekistan to release him immediately so that he can seek
necessary medical treatment.
The United States notes that despite the positive
developments cited earlier, further steps by the Government
of Uzbekistan are needed to bring its practices into line
with its OSCE commitments on human rights and fundamental
freedoms. The United States therefore urges the Government
of Uzbekistan to review these three cases and to consider
releasing Mr. Abdurakhmanov, Mr. Turgunov and Mr. Umarov.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE UZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at
the October 23, 2008, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
in Vienna.
Begin Text:
Mr. Chairman,
The United States would like to take this opportunity to note
some specific positive developments in Uzbekistan on
religious freedom and human rights, and to follow-up on a few
cases of concern. We commend the Government of Uzbekistan's
decision in late September to drop religious extremism
charges against Protestant Aimurat Khayburahmanov in
Karakalpakstan, and to release from custody in mid-October
human rights activists Dilmurd Mukhiddinov and Mamarajab
Nazarov. These cases are discrete but important examples of
how the Uzbek government is making progress toward meeting
its OSCE commitments.
Nevertheless, the United States shares a deep concern about
the issues raised by the Representative of Freedom of the
Media Miklos Haraszti about the sentencing in Karakalpakstan
on October 10th of journalist Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov to ten
years' imprisonment on drug charges. The facts surrounding
Mr. Abdurakhmanov's arrest and trial suggest that he may have
been targeted by local authorities for prosecution as a
result of his reporting. The timing of this sentencing was
especially disappointing, as it followed on the heels of an
EU-sponsored conference in Tashkent on media freedom.
The United States is also concerned about the continuing
trial in Karakalpakstan of human rights activist Akzam
Turgunov on extortion charges. We are disturbed by reports
that a police officer poured boiling hot water on Mr.
Turgunov's back during his pre-trial detention. We understand
that a court investigation dismissed these allegations, but
we have received credible reports to the contrary.
Finally, the United States would like to follow up on
concerns we raised in the Permanent Council on May 8th
concerning the health of imprisoned political oppositionist
Sanjar Umarov. We understand from credible reports that Mr.
Umarov's health continues to deteriorate in prison to a point
where we worry about his survival. We urge the Government of
Uzbekistan to release him immediately so that he can seek
necessary medical treatment.
The United States notes that despite the positive
developments cited earlier, further steps by the Government
of Uzbekistan are needed to bring its practices into line
with its OSCE commitments on human rights and fundamental
freedoms. The United States therefore urges the Government
of Uzbekistan to review these three cases and to consider
releasing Mr. Abdurakhmanov, Mr. Turgunov and Mr. Umarov.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE