Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE112570
2008-10-22 18:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON UZBEK
how-toVZCZCXYZ0012 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #2570 2961836 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 221832Z OCT 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 4727
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
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
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