Society of Human Rights of Uzbekistan

Once justice and legitimacy fade away
a state becomes a gang of bandits.
Augustine Aurelius.

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Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan

 January 2007 

Appeal

Dear colleagues, 

The policies of Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov, especially his external policy, are suffering defeat after defeat and therefore he is forced first to “make friends” with the USA and then with Russia. As we believe, the leaders of both states have seen how unreliable I.Karimov is as a political partner. The US politicians were disappointed in him soon after the tragic May 2005 events in Andijan. It is also clear that Russia is not satisfied with the manner in which Karimov is carrying out its responsibilities as an ally, since for the past 1,5 years following an agreement with Uzbekistan, Russia received nothing from Karimov except for sounding promises.  

Karimov is well-aware of this, and he is desperately trying to attract the attention of European politicians to his personality, i.e. to “make friends” with the European Union. Knowing Karimov, we believe that this idea of him is nothing else but the search for a new simpleton which he can use in order to achieve his own interests.

 Currently Karimov is in a tight corner not only because of

• EU sanctions which have negatively affected his international image;
• The deep economic crisis in Uzbekistan;
• Conspicuous failures in relations with states such as the USA and Russia;
•  Troublesome relations with neighboring post-Soviet states;
• Drastic changes in the mentality of the Uzbek people after the Andijan events which is very undesirable for Karimov.

 He is primarily concerned with the forthcoming elections in December 2007. According to the Constitution, Karimov cannot run for the supreme post in the country for a new term, but to leave this post is like dying for him as it means losing his powers and other benefits.

 It can thus be concluded that Karimov needs to

• Convince (or actually deceit) the EU of his reliability as a partner that can be dealt with;
• Make the EU turn a blind eye to all his illegal and anti-constitutional actions with regard to the preparation and the conduct of the presidential elections, thus winning time and, as a consequence, the elections.

 It is hard to say now whether the EU politicians will uncover all Karimov`s tricks and what their reactions will be to these. We would like to believe that the politicians from the EU will make no mistake and will not believe in his false policies.

 If the EU is willing to achieve some positive changes in Uzbekistan, specific moves should be made. For instance, as a head of the state, Karimov should release 14 human rights activists from various organizations from detention facilities, and this move could be perceived both inside and outside of Uzbekistan as a gesture of goodwill. 

Here are their names: 

1. Farmonov Azam, Human rights Society of Uzbekistan
2. Kholjigitov Norboi, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
3. Khamrayev Ikhtiyor, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
4. Karamatov Alisher, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
5. Isakov Nasim, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
6. Karimov Djamsjid, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
7. Irzayev Sattor, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
8. Akpulatov Khabibulla, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
9. Tadjibayeva Mutabar, Fiery Hearts
10. Zainobitdinov Saidjakhom, Human Rights Organization “Appeal”
11. Mukhitdinov Dilmurod, Human Rights Society “Ezgulik”
12. Nazarov Mamarajab, Human Rights Society “Ezgulik”
13. Khudoinazarov Abdurasul, Human Rights Society “Ezgulik”
14. Kattabekov Ulugbek, Human Rights Society “Ezgulik”

 Dear colleagues! The Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan call on you to address to the EU leadership with the appeal to make the release of the Uzbek human rights activists one of the main requirements at the February meeting of the EU delegation with the President of Uzbekistan I.Karimov in Tashkent.

 In Uzbekistan, there are thousands of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and we do realize that their release is not less important. Yet, let the release of human rights activists become the President’s first step toward the release of all the rest. It will truly indicate Uzbekistan’s real move toward the democratization of society. 

Sincerely yours,Talib Yakubov Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, Chairman 

CC: International Federation of Human Rights (Paris)

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (Vienna)

Human Rights Watch (New York)

International League for Human Rights (New York)

Amnesty International (London)

Front Line (Dublin)

World Organization Against Torture (Geneva)

Freedom House (Washington)

Helsinki Committees

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