UZBEKISTAN: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON EXTRADITION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000660 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA, DRL, AND PRM PRM FOR MATTHEW JOHNSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM ICRC PGOV PREF PREL KG UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON EXTRADITION OF UZBEK ASYLUM SEEKER REF: STATE 61437 Classified By: POLOFF R. FITZMAURICE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Per reftel request, on June 11 poloff voiced serious concern to MFA America's Chief Ismat Fayzullaev over the May 14 extradition of Erkin Halikov, an Uzbek asylum seeker who was in prison in Kyrgyzstan. Poloff observed that Halikov's case was being followed as an example of the government's expressed commitment to meeting its international obligations regarding human rights. Fayzullaev noted our concern and said he would share it with the appropriate officials. However, Fayzullaev said that he could not share specific information regarding Halikov's current whereabouts and physical condition until post submitted a formal diplomatic note. Post submitted the requested diplomatic note on June ¶12. HALIKOV'S CASE FLAGGED AT ICRC -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 9, poloff flagged Halikov's case with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Tashkent. Deputy Head Raffaello Muller said that the ICRC had visited Hokikov during his imprisonment in Kyrgyzstan, but indicated that they had not yet had the opportunity to visit him in Uzbekistan nor did they know his whereabouts or condition. Muller said that ICRC will keep his case in mind as it continues to conduct prison visits around the country. Poloff also flagged the case of dissident poet Yusuf Jumaev and his son Mashrab Jumaev, both of whom were imprisoned earlier this year, after unsubstantiated internet reports suggested that one or both of them had disappeared from prison. Muller noted our concern, but did not have additional information to share. ICRC REPORTS COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT ON PRISON VISITS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Muller observed that this week marked the halfway point of a six-month "trial period" for ICRC prison visits that resumed under an agreement made with the government in March. Muller noted that a "good dialogue" continues with Uzbek authorities and that the government had respected the agreement's modalities so far. He further reported that the ICRC had conducted seven prison visits to date under the interim agreement: three in Tashkent, one in Chirchik, and three in Bukhara province, including one repeat visit to a prison colony. NORLAND