OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK

UNCLAS STATE 112570 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE UZ SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER REF: STATE 112223 ¶1. This cable transmits a correction to reftel text. 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 advances 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 important examples of how the Uzbek government is continuing to make progress on meeting its OSCE commitments Nevertheless, the United States shares the concern of the Representative of Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti about the sentencing by authorities 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 journalism. 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 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. The United States believes these cases warrant further review by the Government of Uzbekistan, and we urge Uzbek authorities to consider releasing Mr. Abdurakhmanov and Mr. Turgunov in line with Uzbekistan,s international commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. RICE