High Commissioner for Human Rights salutes Romania for hosting Uzbek refugees

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, salutes the decision of the Government of Romania to host a group of Uzbek refugees on a temporary basis. These refugees are now in Romania.

“Romania’s generous and courageous gesture is exemplary,”said the High Commissioner. “This move takes on even greater significance when one considers that the country is still recovering from disastrous flooding.”

The High Commissioner recalled that 15 Uzbeks remain in detention in Kyrgyzstan and reiterated her call that they should not be returned to Uzbekistan. “The Kyrgyz authorities have been very cooperative, and I hope that they will continue to abide by international human rights and refugee law, which prohibits returning persons to a country where they may face torture.”