UN EXPERTS DEPLORE RESPONSE OF UZBEKISTAN TO ANDIJAN EVENTS

23 June 2005


The Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on torture, Manfred Nowak, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Leila Zerrouguï, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, made the following statement today:

We express our concern about allegations of human rights violations, particularly torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention in Uzbekistan in connection with the violent events in Andijan of 13 May 2005.

We deplore reports of persons -- allegedly involved in organizing the protests in Andijan -- being held incommunicado. According to Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/39, prolonged incommunicado detention or detention in secret places may facilitate the perpetration of torture and can in itself constitute a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

We express our deep concern about reports that Uzbek authorities are pressuring human rights defenders who are collecting evidence on the events of 13 May, and pressuring Uzbek asylum-seekers in Kyrgyzstan to return, in order to suppress their testimonies in relation to the events in Andijan.

In the light of the findings and recommendations of the report of the former Special Rapporteur on torture’s visit to Uzbekistan in 2002, we appeal to the Government to ensure strict observance of its international human rights obligations under international law, particularly the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to ensure that the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment is respected on its territory. We call on the Government to undertake every effort to ensure that defenders' rights to promote and protect human rights are guaranteed including their freedom of assembly and right to protest. We call upon the Government to ensure full and prompt independent access to all detained persons.

We also support the call for an independent international investigation.

For further information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, please visit the website: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/torture/rapporteur/index.htm

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