Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT344
2008-03-19 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
UPDATE ON ICRC PRISON VISITS IN UZBEKISTAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000344
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM PINR UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ICRC PRISON VISITS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: TASHKENT 324
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000344
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM PINR UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ICRC PRISON VISITS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: TASHKENT 324
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) On March 17 Charge d'Affaires and poloff met with
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Head of
Regional Delegation Yves Giovannoni to get a status report on
the recently announced prison visits in Uzbekistan (reftel).
ICRC will only be able to visit some of the approximately 200
places of detention during the six-month trial period. The
focus is presently on long-term, post-trial prisons within
the penitentiary directorate (GUIN) of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs (MVD). As Giovannoni expected, all is going
smoothly now, although he foresees difficulties in two or
three months as ICRC staff attempt to access the more
sensitive detention facilities administered by other
agencies, including 12 under the National Security Service
(NSS),to which ICRC never had access before.
2. (C) Short-term detentions are also possible at the 120
police stations throughout the country, where abuse of
detainees after initial arrest has occurred. ICRC is
planning to expand contacts with Deputy Minister of Internal
Affairs Alisher Sharafutdinov in order to facilitate adequate
access to these facilities and to discuss appeal mechanisms
for detainees. (Comment: We have found that Sharafutdinov
is earnest and open to reforms; however, we have heard rumors
that he will soon be named as a Deputy Prosecutor-General.
This would be a promotion in rank but it could be more
difficult for ICRC to deal with a successor on police and
detention issues. End comment).
3. (C) ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger is still planning a
mid-April visit, but the Government of Uzbekistan still needs
to confirm a meeting with President Karimov. Giovannoni
noted "it is too early to speak of success," and he recounted
that ICRC visits were suspended in late 2004 -- prior to the
events in Andijon. Giovannoni stressed that while the
six-month trial period is a good start, the ICRC needs to
stay engaged for a minimum period of 18 months to two years
in order to make a lasting impact. Giovannoni noted the
Uzbeks "need some enticement," and he agreed that a carefully
worded statement welcoming the agreement would be politically
useful. (Comment: We believe President Karimov will grant
the requested meeting with Kellenberger in order to gain
political capital and highlight the renewal of prison visits,
which is perhaps the most significant step forward on human
rights the Government of Uzbekistan has taken in several
years. End comment).
HANSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM PINR UZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ICRC PRISON VISITS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: TASHKENT 324
Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) On March 17 Charge d'Affaires and poloff met with
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Head of
Regional Delegation Yves Giovannoni to get a status report on
the recently announced prison visits in Uzbekistan (reftel).
ICRC will only be able to visit some of the approximately 200
places of detention during the six-month trial period. The
focus is presently on long-term, post-trial prisons within
the penitentiary directorate (GUIN) of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs (MVD). As Giovannoni expected, all is going
smoothly now, although he foresees difficulties in two or
three months as ICRC staff attempt to access the more
sensitive detention facilities administered by other
agencies, including 12 under the National Security Service
(NSS),to which ICRC never had access before.
2. (C) Short-term detentions are also possible at the 120
police stations throughout the country, where abuse of
detainees after initial arrest has occurred. ICRC is
planning to expand contacts with Deputy Minister of Internal
Affairs Alisher Sharafutdinov in order to facilitate adequate
access to these facilities and to discuss appeal mechanisms
for detainees. (Comment: We have found that Sharafutdinov
is earnest and open to reforms; however, we have heard rumors
that he will soon be named as a Deputy Prosecutor-General.
This would be a promotion in rank but it could be more
difficult for ICRC to deal with a successor on police and
detention issues. End comment).
3. (C) ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger is still planning a
mid-April visit, but the Government of Uzbekistan still needs
to confirm a meeting with President Karimov. Giovannoni
noted "it is too early to speak of success," and he recounted
that ICRC visits were suspended in late 2004 -- prior to the
events in Andijon. Giovannoni stressed that while the
six-month trial period is a good start, the ICRC needs to
stay engaged for a minimum period of 18 months to two years
in order to make a lasting impact. Giovannoni noted the
Uzbeks "need some enticement," and he agreed that a carefully
worded statement welcoming the agreement would be politically
useful. (Comment: We believe President Karimov will grant
the requested meeting with Kellenberger in order to gain
political capital and highlight the renewal of prison visits,
which is perhaps the most significant step forward on human
rights the Government of Uzbekistan has taken in several
years. End comment).
HANSON