Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001543 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/16 TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV UZ SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society Representative CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On October 14, A/S Blake met with civil society representative Sukhrobjon Ismoilov in Tashkent. Ismoilov warned of a growing Islamist agenda amongst Uzbek exiles living in Europe - a particularly disturbing thought. He also addressed agricultural reform, advocating for increased autonomy and legal support for private farmers. A/S Blake expressed the United States' continued support for civil society in Uzbekistan. End summary. ¶2. (C) Ismoilov is a member of the Rapid Response Group, a coalition of local human rights activists that produces reports and analysis across a broad range of human rights issues in Uzbekistan. He recounted that at a recent conference in Almaty, he learned that as many as 300 Uzbek exiles, most of whom sought asylum overseas following the Andijon events in 2005, are beginning to advocate joining with religious extremists in order to oppose the Karimov regime. He expressed his concern that this could lead to increased violence and instability in Uzbekistan. Exiled leader of the Erk party, Muhammad Solih, was mentioned as the possible driving force behind this idea. Solih is believed to still be living in exile in Norway. ¶3. (SBU) Ismoilov also mentioned the necessity of comprehensive agricultural reform, noting that most private farmers do not defend their legal rights in court, often because they cannot afford to hire a lawyer or because they are not fully aware of their rights. He suggested that farmers who want to challenge government action should be able to work collectively to hire a lawyer, or have access to legal services for reduced fees. He also suggested that giving more autonomy to farmers over what they can grow and in what quantity could help to alleviate the child labor problem. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The idea of Uzbek exiles aligning themselves with religious extremist groups is troubling. While Solih is not known to have much of a following within the country at present, there have been rumored meetings between him and members of Hizb-ut Tahrir in the last few years. A real connection between them would be a destabilizing force both from without and from within, as the GOU is likely to increase the pressure on any groups or individuals outside of the religious mainstream. ¶5. (SBU) The idea of establishing some sort of affordable legal procedure for farmers to pursue their rights is something to be explored, as A/S Blake told Ismoilov. It may fit within the government's interest in improving the rule of law, and could be an avenue for farmers to have an impact on issues such as the quota system and child labor. Post will consult with USAID and the two American-based NGOs in town to get their suggestions. End comment. NORLAND