Ouzbékistan: agression et détention des défenseurs des droits humains Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov et Kamiljon Ashurov

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned by reports of the assault and detention of human rights defenders Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov. Zohir Hasanzoda is a journalist with the Ovozi Tojik (Tajik Voice) and the newspaper’s correspondent in the Samarkand region, Pardakul Turakulov is a freelance journalist with the same newspaper. Both journalists are also members of the Centre for Human Rights Initiatives, in Samarkand, of which Kamiljon Ashurov is the Director.

Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov have reportedly been charged with hooliganism under Article 277, Part 2 of the Uzbek Criminal Code after Ms Dilnavoz Mirmuhammedova and Ms Salomat Hamrayeva filed a complaint alleging that they had been physically assaulted by the men in the street on 5 August 2008.

Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov deny this version of events and state that it is they who were assaulted by the women following their investigation of allegations of weight cheating at a local market and the reconstruction of the market premises. As the men were leaving the market they were reportedly approached by a group of women who were apparently aggrieved by their inquiries and who began to attack them. The disturbance was broken up by police who requested that the men wait in a police vehicle, in which they were subsequently brought to Police Station 11. While at the station, approximately 15 women entered the room in which the men were waiting, and began to abuse them verbally. The women were forced out of the room by police before entering the room again and proceeding to beat Zohir Hasanzoda and Pardakul Turakulov. At this time Kamiljon Ashurov had begun to experience heart pain and had been given medication by a police officer. When he subsequently fainted, the group of women left the room. An ambulance was called and Kamiljon Ashurov was examined.

Zohir Hasanzoda and Pardakul Turakulov were taken to separate rooms where they were body searched in the presence of witnesses. Their mobile telephones, cameras, notebooks and other personal belongings were confiscated by the police. The three men were later transferred to the Samarkand town police department where police officers began to question them regarding the altercation in the street that afternoon. The police officers allegedly attempted to coerce the men into admitting that they had attacked the women. The men refused to do so and were charged with 'hooliganism'.

I believe that the assault of Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov, and the charges brought against them, are directly linked to their peaceful and legitimate work in defense of human rights and fears for their physical and psychological integrity. Furthermore, I view with concern the series of incidents which involve individual or groups of women who verbally or physically assault human rights defenders and fears that this may form part of an systematic attempt to restrict the work of human rights defenders in Uzbekistan.

I urge the authorities in Uzbekistan to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally withdraw all charges against Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov, as I believe they are based solely on their legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;Adopt measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Zohir Hasanzoda, Pardakul Turakulov and Kamiljon Ashurov;

2. Take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their legitimate human rights activities, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 5: “For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels: (b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups”, and Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and 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.”

Yours sincerely,