Uznews, Nukus, 24 Nov 2008 – Leading human rights organisations united into the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders have called for a campaign to release journalist and human rights activist Salijon Abdurahmanov.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), united into the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, have described sentencing Salijon Abdurahmanov to 10 years in prison as “unfair decision”.
“The Observatory expresses its deepest concern with this blatantly unfair decision, which stems from fabricated charges, and is further evidence that the Uzbek authorities are determined to silence any dissenting voice in the country,” it said in a statement issued after the court of appeal upheld Abdurahmanov’s verdict.
This decision is all the more worrying that it came out a few days before the European Union decided to lift the sanctions against Uzbekistan, the Observatory said.
The Observatory recalled that in accordance with Article 11 of the European Union (EU) Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, the EU missions in Uzbekistan shall urge Uzbek authorities to comply with the relevant international norms and standards and, in particular, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in order to create an environment where human rights defenders can operate freely.
“Accordingly, the Observatory calls upon the European Commission Delegation as well as EU missions in Uzbekistan to attend the trial in appeal of Mr. Abdurahmanov and to report on all breaches of human rights standards,” it said.
The Observatory urged people who care about the future of Salijon Abdurahmanov to take part in a campaign to release him.
This involves writing letters to Uzbek officials with requests:
i. Take all necessary measures to guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Salijon Abdurahmanov as well as of all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan;
ii. Release immediately and unconditionally Mr. Salijon Abdurahmanov since his detention is arbitrary as it merely aims at sanctioning his human rights activities;
iii. Ensure that Mr. Abdurahmanov be granted a fair and impartial trial when appealing his sentencing, so that the charges against him be dropped as they merely aim to sanction his human rights activities and as such are arbitrary;
iv. Put an end to any act of harassment – including at the judicial level – against Mr. Salijon Abdurahmanov as well as against all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan;
Article 12.2 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually or in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”.
The Observatory urged these letters to be sent to:
Mr. Bahodir Matliubov, Minister of Internal Affairs, Ministerstvo vnutrennikh del RU; ul. Junus Rajabiy 1; Tashkent 700029, Uzbekistan. Fax: + 998 71 233 89 34; Email: mvd@mvd.uz, info@mvd.uz, secretariyat@mvd.uz
Mr. Alisher Sharafutdinov, Deputy Prosecutor General, Prokuratura Respubliki Uzbekistan; ul. Gulyamova 66; Tashkent 700047, Uzbekistan. Fax: + 998 71 233 39 17/ 133 73 68; Email: prokuratura@lawyer.com
Mr. Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministerstvo inostrannykh del RU; pl. Mustakillik, 5; Tashkent 700029, Uzbekistan. Fax: + 998 71 139 15 17
Head of the Nukus City Department of Internal Affairs (police), Glave GOVD, Gorodskoi Otdel Vnutrennikh Del, ul. Biruni, g. Nukus, AR Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.
H.E Ms. Goulnora Karimova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations in Geneva, International Centre Cointrin (ICC), Bloc G (7th Floor), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland. Fax: +41 22 799 43 02. Email: uzbekistan@bluewin.ch
H.E. Ms. Goulnora Karimova, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, International Centre Cointrin (ICC), Bloc G (7th Floor), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland. Fax: +41 22 799 43 02. Email: uzbekistan@bluewin.ch
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