Front Line is gravely concerned following reports of the ongoing detention and further ill-treatment of Mutabar Tadjibaeva, human rights defender and Chairperson of the human rights organisation “Plammenoe Serdtse” (Fiery Hearts Club) in Ferghana city. Mutabar Tadjibaeva was arrested on 7 October 2005 and subsequently sentenced to 8 years in prison on 6 March 2006. She is currently being detained at Tashkent Prison. Front Line has previously expressed concern in relation to the continued detention of Mutabar Tadjibaeva, most recently on 27 July 2007.

Further Information

Posted 15/10/2007 On 8 October 2007, Mutabar Tadjibaeva's family received reports that she is being held in solitary confinement for long periods. The punishment cell in which she is being detained is reportedly dark and damp, and has a rope tied from the ceiling. Prison authorities have allegedly told Mutabar Tadjibaeva that she can commit suicide using the rope and she has allegedly been subjected to ill-treatment by female officers at Tashkent Prison. Her health is continuing to deteriorate and she is in urgent need of medical assistance as she suffers from high blood pressure and is suffering from a kidney-related illness caused by the cold conditions in solitary confinement. Relatives who visited her in prison at the end of August claim that she has lost considerable weight and that she has a persistent cough.

Mutabar Tadjibaeva has been in detention since 28 March 2005, and has previously been subjected to long periods of time in solitary confinement. She was also held in a psychiatric unit for mentally ill and drug-addicted persons, located in a women's detention centre in the Mirabad district of Tashkent.

Front Line is extremely concerned that Mutabar Tadjibaeva’s continued detention in solitary confinement is a further attempt to dissuade her from continuing her legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights. Concern is also expressed at reports that she has been subjected to ill-treatment and that, while her health continues to deteriorate, she has been denied access to adequate medical treatment.

_ Human Rights Watch Statement on EU Review of Sanctions Against Uzbekistan [1]