Release of Mr. Okpulatov but arbitrary detention of other human rights defenders continue

Newinformation

UZB001 / 0712 / OBS 067

Release/ Ongoing arbitrary detentions

Uzbekistan

July 9, 2012

The Observatory for the Protection of Human RightsDefenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights(FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has received newinformation in the following situation in Uzbekistan.

New information:

TheObservatory was informed of the release of Mr. KhabibullaOkpulatov, member of the Ishtikhan regional branchof the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU) in the district of Ishtikhan (Samarkandregion), while at least ten other human rights defenders remain arbitrarilydetained.

Accordingto the information received, on July 4, 2012, Mr. KhabibullaOkpulatov was released from “severe regime” prison 64/1 in Tashkentregion, after serving his whole sentence.

TheObservatory welcomes the release of Mr. Okpulatov, but regrets the fact that hewas detained for more than six years on the basis of unfair proceedings marred bya number of irregularities, in an attempt to sanction his human rightsactivities.

TheObservatory further deplores the ongoing arbitrary detention of several otherhuman rights defenders in Uzbekistan, in particular that of Messrs. Azam Formonov, Nasim Isakov, Yuldosh Rasulov, Zafar Rakhimov, Ganikhon Mamatkhanov, Gaybullo Jalilov, Solijon Abdurakhmanov, Dilmurod Saidov, Azam Turgunov, Abdurasul Hudoynazarov, which seems to merelysanction their human rights activities in flagrant violation of the provisionsof the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted bythe General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998.

Backgroundinformation:

Mr.Okpulatov had been sentenced in October 2005 to 6 years' imprisonment for“slander for profit or for other base motives” and “extortion with aggravatingcircumstances”. TheNavoi City Criminal Court extended his sentence by 3 years and 8 days on September 29, 2009, and then in appeal on November 26, 2009, for having supposedly violated detention centre regulations.

Mr.Okpulatov had been frequently subjected to disciplinary measures (includingsolitary confinement), humiliations, threats and punishment for supposedviolations of prison rules.

Hishealth condition strongly deteriorated while in detention: he lost 20 kg, couldnot use his right leg,suffered from a serious and very painful eye condition requiring urgent medicalcare.

Inaddition, Mr. Okpulatov was not allowed to pray or to write any letters. He wasalso placed in isolation from 15 January 2012 to 15 February 2012, which led to further deterioration of his health condition.

Actions requested :

Pleasewrite to the Uzbek authorities and ask them to :

i. Take all necessary measuresto guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity ofMessrs. Khabibulla Okpulatov, Azam Formonov,Nasim Isakov, Yuldosh Rasulov, Zafar Rakhimov, Ganikhon Mamatkhanov, GaybulloJalilov, Solijon Abdurakhmanov, Dilmurod Saidov, Azam Turgunov, AbdurasulHudoynazarov;

ii. Release immediatelyand unconditionally all above mentioned human rights defenders as theirdetention is arbitrary;

iii. Putan end to any act of harassment - including at the judicial level - against allabove mentioned human rights defenders, aswell as against all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan ;

iv. Comply with the provisions ofthe UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, in particular Article 1, whichstates that “everyone has the right, individually or collectively, to promotethe protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms at thenational and international levels”, as well as Article 12.2, which providesthat “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection bythe competent authorities of everyone, individually or in association withothers, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as aconsequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in thepresent Declaration” ;

v. Comply with the provisionsof the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the 2nd Conference onthe Human Dimension of the Cooperation and Security Conference in Europe (CSCE)(1990), and guarantee the respect of human rights andfundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationalhuman rights instruments ratified by Uzbekistan.

Addresses :

· Mr. Islam AbduganiyevichKarimov President of Uzbekistan, ul. Uzbekistanskaya 43, Rezidentsiaprezidenta, 700163 Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Fax: +998 71 133 1395325. E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz

· Mr. Bahodir Matliubov,Minister of Internal Affairs; ul. Junus Rajabiy 1; Tashkent 700029, Uzbekistan.Fax: + 998 71 233 89 34. Email: mvd@mvd.uz, info@mvd.uz, secretariyat@mvd.uz

· Mr. Rashidjon HamidovichKodirov, General Prosecutor of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ul. Gulamova 66,700047 Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Fax: +998 71 133 39 17. E-mail: prokuratura@lawyer.com

· Mr. Vladimir Norov,Minister of Foreign Affairs, pl. Mustakillik, 5; Tashkent 700029, Uzbekistan.Fax: + 998 71 139 15 17. E-mail: rnews@mfa.uz

· Ms. Sayora Rashidova,Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, ul. Xalqlar Dostligi 1, 700035Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Fax: +998 71 139 85 55. E-mail: office@ombudsman.gov.uz

· Senator Akmal Saidov,Natsionalny Tsentr po pravam cheloveka / National Centre for Human Rights,Mustakillik Maidoni 5/3, 700029 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan Fax: + 998 71139 13 56 / 45 16, E-mail: office@nchr.uz

· Head of the Nukus CityDepartment of Internal Affairs (police), Glave GOVD, Gorodskoi OtdelVnutrennikh Del, ul. Biruni, g. Nukus, AR Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.

· H.E Ms. Goulnora Karimova,Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Uzbekistanto the United Nations in Geneva, International Centre Cointrin (ICC), Bloc G(7th Floor), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland. Fax: +41 22 79943 02. Email: uzbekistan@bluewin.ch

Please also write to the diplomatic representations ofUzbekistan in your respective countries as well as to the EU diplomatic missionsor embassies in Uzbekistan.

***

Paris-Geneva, July 9, 2012

Kindlyinform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in yourreply.

TheObservatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of HumanRights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.T

Tocontact the Observatory, call the emergency line:

· E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org

· Tel and fax FIDH + 33(0) 1 43 55 25 18 / +33 1 43 55 18 80

· Tel and fax OMCT + 41(0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29