UN EXPERT ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS SEEKS TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN

20 May 2005


The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights, Philip Alston, issued the following statement today.

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights dealing with extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions today requested an invitation from the Government of Uzbekistan to enable him to visit the country on an urgent basis to assess the current situation.

Philip Alston, a law professor at New York University, indicated that he was gravely concerned about reports that hundreds of people, including women and children, were killed on 13 May when government troops fired indiscriminately to disperse a demonstration in Andijan. The Special Rapporteur stated that he was particularly troubled by reports that the measures had been connected to efforts to eliminate terrorists.

“Quite apart from the need to distinguish political opponents from terrorists, the point is that governments are clearly obligated to address any such situations within a framework clearly governed by human rights law”, he said. The Special Rapporteur called upon the Government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the incidents but noted that his visit was also an essential part of an effective and comprehensive response by the Government.

Professor Alston said a visit to Uzbekistan would enable him speak with all those involved in the recent events and to formulate positive recommendations to support efforts to end impunity for human rights violators in accordance with international standards.