UZBEKISTAN: ANDIJON COMMEMMORATION BROKEN UP IN TASHKENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000769

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/14
TAGS: PHUM PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: ANDIJON COMMEMMORATION BROKEN UP IN TASHKENT

CLASSIFIED BY: Timothy P. Buckley, Second Secretary, Department of
State, Political and Economic Section; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) On May 13, a small group of human rights activists attempted
to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the tragic events in
Andijon by laying a wreath at the monument of courage in central
Tashkent, according to the independent website Uznews.net. Poloff
spoke with Dilorom Ishakova on May 14, who confirmed that this was
an accurate report and that she was one of the group of about 20
who intended to conduct the modest ceremony at the Soviet-era
monument dedicated in the aftermath of the 1966 Tashkent
earthquake. Ishakova conceded she was not surprised that "a group
of police officers was waiting for such a provocation" and did not
let them access the site.




2. (C) Ishakova noted that really only about 12 people made it to
the gathering point at a small store from where they set off
because several activists were rounded up in their homes early in
the morning to prevent any protests. This included Yelena
Urlayeva, whose detention was the subject of a separate article on
May 13 on Uznews.net. Ishakova said other activists who were
rounded up included Anatoliy Volkov, Tatiana Davlatova, Surat
Ikramov (along with his wife),and Oleg Sarapulov. Poloff inquired
as to their current status, and Ishakova made some phone calls and
reported back that all had been released from police detention
centers by the evening of May 13, and at least some paid fines.
Ishakova herself was not detained, as her group dispersed when
instructed by authorities and had fully expected to have their path
blocked. Conveniently, authorities had arranged for the monument
to be undergoing renovations on May 13, and even admonished one
participant not to take photos (ordinarily the site is a popular
spot for wedding pictures).




3. (C) Ishakova reported that one activist, Ilnur Abdulov from the
Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, did reach the monument. This
was also reported in the Uznews.net article, which said he unveiled
a placard reading "We remember Andijon Events!" and which prompted
authorities to whisk him away in a car. Ishakova told poloff he
received "a strong beating" at the Yunusobod Prosecutor's Office
and was held until 9 PM on the evening of May 13 before also being
released.




4. (C) In an unrelated note, Ishakova had little new information
about imprisoned activist Akzam Turgunov in Karakalpakstan, whose
case she follows closely. She spoke with his wife on May 12, who
reported receiving a "very short letter" from Turgunov that did not
convey much. She intends to visit him next week.



Comment:

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5. (C) Several articles appeared in the international press about
the Andijon event and commemoration events took place abroad, but
there was little this group of activists could do to mark the
occasion in Tashkent other than this symbolic effort. Ishakova's
account corroborates the Uznews.net version of events, although the
heavy beating of the lone activist to reach the monument and unveil
a placard has not been verified. Authorities are well aware of
this group of activists and, although it is lamentable that they
were denied the chance to peacefully express their views, it is
fortunate that officials did not incarcerate any beyond the Andijon
anniversary.
NORLAND