Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT236
2008-02-21 11:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
UZBEKISTAN: RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS REPORTED
how-toVZCZCXRO3603 RR RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG DE RUEHNT #0236 0521134 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 211134Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9270 INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9978 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3767 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 4381 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0259 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2233 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0909 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0307 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0236 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0224 RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2348 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1004 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS TASHKENT 000236
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS REPORTED
REF: TASHKENT 167 (NOTAL)
UNCLAS TASHKENT 000236
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS REPORTED
REF: TASHKENT 167 (NOTAL)
1. (SBU) Summary: Independent and opposition websites report the
release of two human rights activists, Bobomurod Mavlanov and Sanjar
Umarov. The reports have not yet been independently verified. End
summary.
Bobomurod Mavlanov
--------------
2. (SBU) Post reported reftel that human rights activist Bobomurod
Mavlanov's name appeared on an amnesty list February 6. Independent
website Ferghana.ru reported February 20 on an interview with
Mavlanov and confirmed that he has been released. Human Rights
Watch researcher Igor Vorontsov told us he also has heard Mavlanov
has been released but had not received positive confirmation.
Tashkent-based human rights activist Surat Ikramov, likewise, was
unable to confirm but promised to inquire with relatives and
opposition Erk party members (Mavlanov is an Erk Central Council
member). We were unable to reach Erk's senior representative in
Tashkent, Atanazar Aripov, for confirmation.
3. (SBU) According to Ferghana.ru, Mavlanov credited the recent thaw
in relations with the West for his release. As we reported reftel,
his release was one of several announced in conjunction with
Uzbek-EU consultations in early February. According to the report,
Mavlanov nonetheless questioned the wisdom of that thaw. The report
did not elaborate on his criticism.
4. (SBU) According to the report, Mavlanov claimed that authorities
treated him well in prison: "They never had me beaten or harassed,
and [they] talked politely." He also reportedly denied his
membership in the opposition Erk party: "I had never worked against
the authorities or been in the opposition. I always cooperated with
law enforcement agencies."
5. (SBU) Harakat.net (the e-newspaper of the Birlik opposition
party),also reports that Mavlanov has been released. Harakat
attributes its information to Samarqand Region Birlik party member
Kholiqnazar Ghaniev.
Sanjar Umarov
--------------
6. (SBU) The website also reported that activist Sanjar Umarov may
have been released, but on condition that he leave the country
quietly and quickly. Post reported reftel that human rights
activists with whom we have spoken have been unable to visit Umarov
in recent weeks and assumed he remained in jail. Activist Surat
Ikramov had no information but promised to inquire.
7. (SBU) Post will report if and when we are able to verify these
reports.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS REPORTED
REF: TASHKENT 167 (NOTAL)
1. (SBU) Summary: Independent and opposition websites report the
release of two human rights activists, Bobomurod Mavlanov and Sanjar
Umarov. The reports have not yet been independently verified. End
summary.
Bobomurod Mavlanov
--------------
2. (SBU) Post reported reftel that human rights activist Bobomurod
Mavlanov's name appeared on an amnesty list February 6. Independent
website Ferghana.ru reported February 20 on an interview with
Mavlanov and confirmed that he has been released. Human Rights
Watch researcher Igor Vorontsov told us he also has heard Mavlanov
has been released but had not received positive confirmation.
Tashkent-based human rights activist Surat Ikramov, likewise, was
unable to confirm but promised to inquire with relatives and
opposition Erk party members (Mavlanov is an Erk Central Council
member). We were unable to reach Erk's senior representative in
Tashkent, Atanazar Aripov, for confirmation.
3. (SBU) According to Ferghana.ru, Mavlanov credited the recent thaw
in relations with the West for his release. As we reported reftel,
his release was one of several announced in conjunction with
Uzbek-EU consultations in early February. According to the report,
Mavlanov nonetheless questioned the wisdom of that thaw. The report
did not elaborate on his criticism.
4. (SBU) According to the report, Mavlanov claimed that authorities
treated him well in prison: "They never had me beaten or harassed,
and [they] talked politely." He also reportedly denied his
membership in the opposition Erk party: "I had never worked against
the authorities or been in the opposition. I always cooperated with
law enforcement agencies."
5. (SBU) Harakat.net (the e-newspaper of the Birlik opposition
party),also reports that Mavlanov has been released. Harakat
attributes its information to Samarqand Region Birlik party member
Kholiqnazar Ghaniev.
Sanjar Umarov
--------------
6. (SBU) The website also reported that activist Sanjar Umarov may
have been released, but on condition that he leave the country
quietly and quickly. Post reported reftel that human rights
activists with whom we have spoken have been unable to visit Umarov
in recent weeks and assumed he remained in jail. Activist Surat
Ikramov had no information but promised to inquire.
7. (SBU) Post will report if and when we are able to verify these
reports.
NORLAND