OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: THE SENTENCING OF UZBEK

UNCLAS STATE 091696 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV OSCE KPAO PHUM PREL UZ SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: THE SENTENCING OF UZBEK EDITOR DILMUROD SAYID ¶1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement at the September 3 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna. Begin text: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. The United States expresses its concern following the sentencing to twelve-and-one-half years' incarceration of the Uzbekistan journalist Dilmurod Sayid on extortion and forgery charges following a closed trial. As a journalist, Sayid has been a marked critic of corruption and abuse of power by local authorities. His arrest and conviction raise serious questions about the use of the criminal justice system in Uzbekistan in suppressing freedom of expression. As noted by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Harazsti August 5, the trial in which Mr. Sayid was convicted did not meet international standards of fair procedure and failed to comply with Uzbekistan,s OSCE commitments. We urge the authorities of Uzbekistan to conduct a thorough review of the case and to grant a new, open trial for Mr. Sayid. In addition, Mr. Sayid has tuberculosis and reportedly has not received treatment since he has been incarcerated. We call upon the authorities to provide promptly all necessary medical treatment for his condition. Thank you, Madame Chairwoman. CLINTON