Central Asia news
08.03.2013 21:03 msk
Human Rights
Politics
Interview
Uzbekistan
Ms. Mutabar Tadzhibayeva, a renown human rights activist, the founder and the leader of the Fiery Hearts human rights center, arrived in Geneva from Paris, where she resides, to participate in the discussion of a documentary on the Andijan tragedy of 2005. The airing of the documentary and its subsequent discussion were event-free. However, something strange happened afterwards. The following excerpt in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps sheds some light: “The Uzbek journalist Mutabar Tadzhibayeva, who was tortured in a Tashkent prison and currently lives in exile in Paris, was invited to a film festival on human rights in Geneva, to talk about the cruelties of the Islam Karimov regime. On Sunday, on her way out of Switzerland, Mr. Tadzhibayeva was summoned by the Geneva police station at the airport. The reason was a lawsuit lodged by the permanent mission of Uzbekistan at the UN HQ in Geneva; the Uzbek president’s daughter, Gulnara Karimova, is the head of mission. Because Ms. Tadzhibayeva does not speak French and the claims against her were not translated for her, she decided to leave Switzerland.”
01.03.2013 01:23 msk
Human Rights
Kyrgyzstan
Mr. Azimjan Askarov, a human rights activists and a journalist from Kyrgyzstan, has been imprisoned for over two years. All this time, Mr. Askarov’s both local and foreign colleagues have been pushing the Kyrgyz government to reconsider his case and hold an impartial investigation. Mr. Askarov is an ethnic Uzbek and he was charged with having allegedly committed a number of crimes, including murdering a police officer, in the aftermath of the tragic events in Southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010. His lawyers have gathered piles of evidence on his innocence. However, these documents were handed to people, who have had a grudge against Mr. Askarov for a very long time because he published a number of serious crimes law-enforcing officers committed in the past. It is, therefore, no wonder that they denounced the lawyers’ evidence as irrelevant. But the human rights activists and advocates community is not losing hope. On 27 Feb. 2013, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) voiced another appeal to reconsider Mr. Askarov’s case. The letter was addressed to the Prosecutor General of Kyrgyzstan Ms. Aida Salyanova.
06.12.2012 11:47 msk
Human Rights
Uzbekistan
The Uzbek government should unconditionally release all of its political prisoners on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s constitution on December 8, 2012, human rights groups said today. Freeing the country’s many political prisoners would demonstrate a genuine commitment to Uzbekistan’s much-touted reform process, the groups said. The nine groups are Human Rights Watch, Freedom Now, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, the International Partnership for Human Rights, the International Association for Human Rights Defense “Fiery Hearts Club,” PEN American Center, ACAT-France, and the International Federation for Human Rights.
30.11.2012 00:07 msk
Human Rights
Uzbekistan
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, visited Kyrgyzstan for the first time on 28 November. Human rights activists have been preparing for her visit in advance. The situation of political prisoners’ situation became the main topic in the messages sent by human rights activists. On 22 November, Human Rights Watch, a leading international human rights organisation, called Catherine Ashton to publically demand the liberation of illegally imprisoned activists, who are languishing in local prisons. Nadejda Ataeva, leader of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, based in France, which is at one with HRW’s request, talked about the situation of political prisoners held in Uzbek prisons in an interview with NBC Central Asia. The shortened version of the interview is published on the IWPR website.
29.10.2012 09:48 msk
Human Rights
Kyrgyzstan
On October 25, 2012, the Osh Province Court sentenced 33-year-old Mahamad Bizurukov, an ethnic Uzbek and a Russian citizen, to life in prison. In the second recent case, Niyazaliev was detained by Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee officers on the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border in January. He was extradited to Kyrgyzstan in June to stand trial in connection with violence in the Suzak district in June 2010. Prosecutors allege that residents of the district blocked the Bishkek-Osh highway near the Sanpa cotton factory on June 12 and 13, poured fuel oil on the road to slow vehicles, and attacked drivers and passengers. The investigation said that 16 people were killed and two others are missing as a result. In 2011, 18 other people were sentenced to life in prison on charges related to this violence, and one defendant to 25 years in prison. “It is a miscarriage of justice and reeks of revenge when defendants are sentenced to life in prison in unfair trials. Kyrgyzstan’s authorities should immediately review these convictions and ensure that all the defendants’ rights are upheld, especially their right to a fair and impartial trial", Hugh Williamson, HRW Europe and Central Asia director said.
02.10.2012 18:01 msk
Human Rights
Kyrgyzstan
A picket called “Let’s show parliament our teeth” to defend free speech and access to information took place on 1 October 2012 outside the Kyrgyzstan Parliament building. The reason for the action was that Kyrgyzstan’s MPs have attempted to sabotage journalists’ work more than once. Around 70 people gathered by the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament), around 50 of those were journalists from various national and international press outlets. Some even came with small children, whom they could not leave at home. However, not all the media participated and only some covered the event. First, the journalists displayed posters on the parliament fence saying “The cameras see everything, dictaphones hear everything. The truth cannot be hidden!”, “Fergana.ru, NTS, who’s next?!”, “The parliament is beyond conscience and shame”, “The government totally supports the freedom of expression, as long as it is strictly controlled.”
Other news
- Tajik journalists attempt to defend their rights again and again
- Uzbekistan: renaissance of street crime in previously safe Tashkent
- Azimjon Askarov, jailed for life in Kyrgyzstan, gets International Press Freedom Award
- Dumb slaves, or Cotton under the barrel of a gun
- Uzbekistan: letter from the penal colony «Jaslyk» on new cases of torture
- IWPR: Daring to Strike in Turkmenistan
- Subsidies Subside in Turkmenistan
- A tragedy foretold: Norway condemns Uzbek activist to jail and torture
- IWPR: Show Trials in Turkmenistan
- Kyrgyzstan: Azimzhan Askarov’s lawyers insist on review of his case
- Uzbek authorities fear spread of Arab Spring and tighten control of internet use by youth
- Trial for Russian pensioner arrested for a pack of pills has been canceled
- Uzbekistan: Old Russian woman to go to jail for a pack of pills
- Uzbekistan: New members of the “persecuted journalists” club
- Uzbekistan: 50th birthday in prison
- Uzbekistan: Rustam Usmanov’s son applies to the president of Uzbekistan for a pardon
- Rustam Usmanov’s simple math: Fourteen plus two
- France: Human right activists extend their congratulations to Islam Karimov, too
- Reporters Without Borders: Tajik opposition journalist Dodojon Atovulloev stabbed in Moscow
- Kyrgyzstan: Who’s gonna rescue the victims of “ethnic tortures”?
- Kyrgyzstan: Sexual violence amidst ethnic conflict
- Q & A: Khudaiberdiyev on Kyrgyz trial, press freedom
- Q & A: Dzhavlon Mirzakhodzhayev on Kyrgyz 'justice'
- Uzbekistan: Psychologist Maxim Popov freed from jail
- Uzbekistan: Citizen of Russia Yuri Korepanov released from custody, but cannot leave Uzbekistan
- OSCE PA Takes Up Discussion of Torture and Other Assaults on Human Rights in Its Member States
- Second violent attack against Memorial employee in Moscow
- Kazakhstan: Don’t Extradite Uzbeks to Torture. Respect International Obligations
- Investigation of the “June events”: vengeance instead of justice
- Moscow based human rights group “Memorial” has published another report on political persecution in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan: No journalist is immune from slander, defamation charges
- Uzbekistan: Justice Ministry denied the accreditation of another representative of Human Rights Watch
- Uzbekistan: Ezgulik asked to the World Bank to correct the mistakes
- Internet providers in Tajikistan blocked "undesired" mass media
- Tortures in Uzbekistan: The position of former prisoner Sanjar Umarov produced sharp criticism from his "colleagues"
- Uzbekistan: Another journalist is expecting the trial
- Uzbekistan: Famous family in Kokand became the victim of mafia security structures
- Tajik Mowgli wants to get the passport
- Uzbekistan: The government continues persecuting journalists
- Osh: Big tragedy of small street (photo)
- Kyrgyzstan: The human rights advocates are in danger
- Kyrgyzstan: New Evidence Emerges on Brutality of Attacks
- Andijan: Five years of pain and fear
- The international campaign in protection of Maxim Popov is launched
- Kyrgyzstan: The requiem on dead journalism
- Uzbekistan: The government limits foreign travel for healthcare workers
- Surat Ikramov: The judicial and legal reform in Uzbekistan is the plan, but not action
- Uzbek secret services collect the records about independent journalists
- The International Group to support Umida Ahmedova
- Kyrgyzstan: The security officers tried to accuse the human rights activist Bakhrom Khamroev in espionage and extremism
- Uzbekistan: "Wanted" Posters All Over Tashkent
- Uzbekistan: Human rights society calls for justice
- Most prominent lawyers in Uzbekistan to lose their licenses for unprofessional performance
- Uzbekistan: How to get rid of unwanted journalist?
- Uzbekistan: The advocacy becomes the part of executive authorities
- Uzbekistan: Russian and international organizations are defending the arrested activist
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan as a Ministry of Propaganda
- Uzbekistan: Shock at journalist's ten year prison sentence
- US and EU Companies Urge Uzbekistan to End Child Labour on Cotton Fields
- Uzbek Officials Did Not Confirm Ban of HRW Representative
- Uzbekistan: HRW Representative Banned with No Right of Return
- Uzbek Official: Human Rights Impede Crime Detection
- Uzbek Authorities Toughen Censure, Remain Silent about Blasts
- Human Rights Watch Continues to Seek Accreditation in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan: Prison Employee Set Herself on Fire to Protest Prison’s Despotism
- Uzbekistan: Leading websites launch campaign against internet-censorship
- Human rights activist Solijon Abdurakhmanov arrested in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan: International seminar on freedom of the media is taking place under the veil of secrecy
- Death sentences repealed in Uzbekistan
- PRC State Council published a report on human rights in the United States
- Human rights activist Tamara Chikunova urges the Uzbek authorities to publish data on the executed and burial sites
- Uzbekistan: Prominent rights activist Saidjahon Zainabitdinov amnestied and released
- A short review of Uzbek jails as seen by a human rights activist
- Only 7% children in Tajikistan attend infant schools and day-care centers
- German lawmaker upset by the situation with political prisoners in Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan: both free-lancers and «pro-government» journalists fear for their safety
- Kyrgyz lawyer with the UN refugee mandate is in the Tashkent jail
- EU suspended visa restrictions for Uzbek state officials
- 1,397 refugees registered in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
- The Islam Karimov Gulag: Memoirs of an Uzbek prisoner
- Kyrgyz journalists admit to be under secret services\' tight control
- Kyrgyz police smear the assassinated journalist's name
- Kyrgyzstan: Ensure Justice for Murdered Journalist
- The Prosecutor General's Office strives to extradite ex-president's Aidar Akayev
- International scientific community demands aid to Professor Maitdinova in Dushanbe
- Tajikistan: hostage situations on the border with Afghanistan are commonplace occurrences
- Uzbekistan: murderers of Ilkhom Art Director Mark Weil still at large
- Civil society urges the European Union to extend sanctions
- Turkmenistan: Jailed opposition leaders Boris Shihmuradov and Batyr Berduyev are alive
- Samarkand students and pupils ferried to cotton plantations
- Samarkand courts knee-deep in human traffic cases
- More than 9,000 prisoners to be set free in Turkmenistan
- Eleven would-be assassins of the Turkmenbashi amnestied
- Tajik student prepared to seek help from international court
- Tajikistan: Guantanamo ex-prisoner will sue George W. Bush and the Pentagon
- Human Rights Watch mission in Uzbekistan is left without staff
- Human rights in Uzbekistan: window dressing on the part of the state and catastrophic reality
- Uzbekistan: more prisons - as different as possible
- Kyrgyzstan: Will lifers ask for the return of capital punishment?
- New prison for civil servants was built in Tashkent
- Uzbekistan: the authorities control all private transactions from abroad
- Uzbek prosecutor's office decided against pressing charges against Die Deutsche Welle correspondents
- President of Kyrgyzstan signed the new law «On citizenship»
- Purges continue in Turkmenistan. Border control regime stiffened
- EU – Uzbekistan: Continue the pressure on Uzbek government in order to free all prisoners of conscience
- Refugees who returned to Andijan from the United States left Uzbekistan again
- Tragedy in Andijan to be commemorated in foreign capitals
- Freedom of Press Day in Uzbekistan: celebrating what does not exist
- The international community urges the EU not to ease sanctions against Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan: Recognisance not to leave and remain within reach for Bermet Akayeva
- UN Supreme Commissar for Human Rights Louise Arbour in Ashkhabad
- Journalist Umida Niyazova's trial: what it was like
- Uzbekistan: Journalist Alo Hojayev is denied exit visa
- Uzbek journalist Umida Niyazova sentenced to seven years
- Citizens of Kyrgyzstan will be permitted to kill in self-defense
- Human rights activist Gulbahor Turayeva sentenced to six years imprisonment
- Human Rights Watch accreditation in Uzbekistan extended
- Uzbekistan: Human rights activist and journalist Umida Niyazova’s trial is postponed without any explanation given
- Uzbekistan: Umida Niyazova’s trial will begin on April 19
- Uzbek human rights community reports tortures practiced in the colony near Bekabad
- Journalist released from Uzbek jail: Complete isolation is probably the hardest thing to bear
- Journalists are asked to make reports to the authorities instead of criticizing them
- Kyrgyz parliament turns down abolition of prosecution for polygamy
- Ruslan Sharipov: The US Administration does not care about refugees from Uzbekistan
- Investigation of the case of human rights activist Umida Niyazova is nearly over
- Finally released, the Ivanovo prisoners await departure for a third country
- Former chairman of the Turkmen parliament sentenced to five years behind the bars
- An international group of intellectuals addressed Uzbekistan president I.Karimov requesting political prisoners being set free
- Turkmenistan: The authorities ease the police regime and return normal education
- Turkmen opposition activist Annadurdy Hajiev arrested in Bulgaria
- Another group of refugees depart Bishkek for the third countries
- Attempt to see the head of the Supreme Court resulted in assault and battery
- The Turkmen authorities cover up the traces of the Serdar's crimes
- Journalist and human rights activist Umida Niyazova tortured
- Andijan region: ex-hokim sentenced to a year imprisonment (sentence suspended)
- Environmentalist Andrei Zatoka will face trial on February 7
- Kyrgyzstan: A. Ivanov's widow filed a lawsuit
- Prison riot in Ovadan-Depe near Ashkhabad brutally suppressed
- Human rights activist from Andijan Gulbahor Turayeva arrested in Uzbekistan
- Russia - Turkmenistan: Vladimir Putin informed of the fate of Andrei Zatoka the prisoner
- Several protest actions took place in the Bukhara region in late 2006
- OSCE Must Seize Chance to Press Turkmenistan on Human Rights and Democracy
- Imprisoned human rights activist coerced to give false testimony in front of videocam
- Uzbek human rights activist Jadgar Turlibekov released from jail
- Environmentalist Andrei Zatoka arrested in Turkmenistan
- Supreme Court of Kazakhstan confirms the sentences Sarsenbayev's assassins drew
- Kyrgyz wardens improve conditions in jails
- Israeli Embassy in Uzbekistan absolves its security of murder
- Desperate Uzbek journalist appeals to the US president
- 70% of students view their colleges and universities as corrupt
- Uzbek media do not report the place reserved for Uzbekistan in the UN Development Program annual rating
- Released from prison, Uzbek journalist Ulugbek Haidarov is through with human rights activities
- Persecution of journalists and human rights activists in Uzbekistan. A review
- Uzbek journalist Ulugbek Haidarov released from jail. Ex-mayor of Tashkent sentenced to 20 years behind the bars
- Russia is making excuses for deportation of Rustam Muminov to Uzbekistan
- Uzbek political immigrant Ruslan Sharipov may be deported from the United States
- The authorities of Turkmenistan break up mixed families and deport Uzbek women
- The health of political prisoner Muhammed Bekjan worries the Uzbek human rights community
- The UN Council for Human Rights refuses to discuss the situation in Uzbekistan openly
- The European Union severs economic ties with Ashkhabad
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