Human Rights
Sting in the pay of tyrannical Uzbekistan regime
24.02.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
Once again we must ponder the question "how much money is enough?", inspired by reports that Sting accepted between £1m and £2m to perform for the glory of the brutal despotic regime in Uzbekistan.
Sting with Gulnara Karimova at a fashion show in Uzbekistan. Photograph: GettyMore ...
Sting with Gulnara Karimova at a fashion show in Uzbekistan. Photograph: GettyMore ...
Into the iris of insanity: dissent, psychiatry, and the true face of Turkmen totalitarianism
24.02.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
In a country like Turkmenistan, who is really the crazy one?
Kakabay Tedzhenov is a former inmate of a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenistan. Telling his shocking story, the 73 year-old-pensioner, now living in a small town in Russia, remembers:
It was cold during winter inside the house I lived and so were the conditions for my neighbors, in Turkmenabad, where I lived. One day I sent a petition to the local authorities demanding better heating in my house in order to put an end to the situation I faced every winter. I went on to send several petitions, but the only result was that the local authorities began to persecute me.
I didn’t give up. I went all the way the President [Niyazov]. One evening [in January 2006] men in white clothes came to my house and forcefully packed me into a car. First I didn’t know what they had in mind but then I was taken into a heavily guarded building and locked in a room with four mentally ill people. It was the infamous Boyunuzyn psychiatric hospital.
I was injected with various drugs, including Amenazin, a drug which caused me terrible pain and health problems. I got sick and was taken for surgery, after which I was returned [to Boyunuzyn]. In total, I spent ten months in Boyunuzyn. I owe my release to the intense advocacy of rights groupswho protested my detention.
Two months after Tedzhenov’s release, Niyazov suddenly died. It seemed a fitting capstone to the story. Yet, Tedzhenov was neither the first — nor the last — prisoner of conscience to be subjected to psychiatry as a form of torture.
Indeed, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes gets less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.More ...
Kakabay Tedzhenov is a former inmate of a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenistan. Telling his shocking story, the 73 year-old-pensioner, now living in a small town in Russia, remembers:
It was cold during winter inside the house I lived and so were the conditions for my neighbors, in Turkmenabad, where I lived. One day I sent a petition to the local authorities demanding better heating in my house in order to put an end to the situation I faced every winter. I went on to send several petitions, but the only result was that the local authorities began to persecute me.
I didn’t give up. I went all the way the President [Niyazov]. One evening [in January 2006] men in white clothes came to my house and forcefully packed me into a car. First I didn’t know what they had in mind but then I was taken into a heavily guarded building and locked in a room with four mentally ill people. It was the infamous Boyunuzyn psychiatric hospital.
I was injected with various drugs, including Amenazin, a drug which caused me terrible pain and health problems. I got sick and was taken for surgery, after which I was returned [to Boyunuzyn]. In total, I spent ten months in Boyunuzyn. I owe my release to the intense advocacy of rights groupswho protested my detention.
Two months after Tedzhenov’s release, Niyazov suddenly died. It seemed a fitting capstone to the story. Yet, Tedzhenov was neither the first — nor the last — prisoner of conscience to be subjected to psychiatry as a form of torture.
Indeed, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes gets less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.More ...
Turning point in Aliyev case?
23.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
The Kazakh Government gave the Austrian authorites guarantees, that the former son-in-law of the Kazakh President Nazarbayev, Dr. Rakhad Aliyev will be treated under European Human Rights standards, if the Austrian court will detain him back to Kazakhstan. This was confirmed by the Kazakh Ambassador in Austria, Kasychanov.
He pointed out that Dr. Aliyev might also have retrial proceedings, which would be conductes under the UN Human Rights Convention. In addition, the Office of the General Prosecutor in Kazakhstan sent an official letter to its colleagues in Vienna, saying that an international observation of Dr. Aliyev’s possible future imprisonment would be welcomed by Kazakh authorities.
According to Austrian officials, this reaction by the Kazakh officials could be a „turning point in the case“, because until now, Dr. Aliyev was fighting against a possible extradition with the argument, he would be tortured in his home country. Manfred Nowak, UN Rapporteur against torture, underlined recently that systematic torture would no longer be used in Kazakhstan.
In addition, Austrian officials, who want to stay confidential, confirmed additional investigations against Dr. Aliyev regarding abduction and torture in connection with the death of Ms. Novikova.
He pointed out that Dr. Aliyev might also have retrial proceedings, which would be conductes under the UN Human Rights Convention. In addition, the Office of the General Prosecutor in Kazakhstan sent an official letter to its colleagues in Vienna, saying that an international observation of Dr. Aliyev’s possible future imprisonment would be welcomed by Kazakh authorities.
According to Austrian officials, this reaction by the Kazakh officials could be a „turning point in the case“, because until now, Dr. Aliyev was fighting against a possible extradition with the argument, he would be tortured in his home country. Manfred Nowak, UN Rapporteur against torture, underlined recently that systematic torture would no longer be used in Kazakhstan.
In addition, Austrian officials, who want to stay confidential, confirmed additional investigations against Dr. Aliyev regarding abduction and torture in connection with the death of Ms. Novikova.
Invitation: ETG Central Asia Discussions 2010
16.02.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
Invitation:
ETG will host a roundtable discussion March 5, 2010 in Vienna.
„Turkmenistan - Western Influence: Energy Interests and Political Implications“
Topics will be:
Turkmen Gas and Nabucco
The political situation in Turkmenistan
Geopolitics
Possible strategies of EU, OSCE and US
Key Speakers will be:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group (ICG)
Arkady Dubnov, Journalist and Turkmenistan Expert
Nurmukhamed Hanamov, former Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Expert on the political and social situation
If you are interested to participate, please send us a short mail.
ETG will host a roundtable discussion March 5, 2010 in Vienna.
„Turkmenistan - Western Influence: Energy Interests and Political Implications“
Topics will be:
Turkmen Gas and Nabucco
The political situation in Turkmenistan
Geopolitics
Possible strategies of EU, OSCE and US
Key Speakers will be:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group (ICG)
Arkady Dubnov, Journalist and Turkmenistan Expert
Nurmukhamed Hanamov, former Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Expert on the political and social situation
If you are interested to participate, please send us a short mail.
Kazakhstan lifts critical reporting ban
09.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
A Kazakhstan court has overturned a ruling that banned the media from publishing criticism of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's son-in-law.More ...
Journalists under pressure as parliamentary elections approach
08.02.2010. Category:Tajikistan
With parliamentary elections fast approaching, print journalists in Tajikistan are coming under increasing pressure, media watchdogs say.More ...
Bukhara is agitated with rumors about murders and mass arrests
08.02.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
In the first days of February Ferghana.Ru office received few messages about the outbreak of criminal events in Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, we are not able to confirm or reject the majority of them. First of all, the official authorities of Uzbekistan ignore our questions. Secondly, being concerned about their own security, the witnesses (if any) are not always willing to testify.More ...
OSCE media freedom representative criticizes 'misuse' of libel laws to muzzle the press in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Hungary
08.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan | Tajikistan
Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, condemned today as "dangerous attempts at censorship" lawsuits initiated by high-ranking government officials in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Hungary against domestic media outlets for reporting on critical statements made by other public figures.More ...
Interview with CSCE Co-Chair A. Hastings on Kazakhstan
05.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
Co-Chairman Hastings Interview with Erica Marat of Voice of America
Question:Good morning, Congressman Hastings. It is our pleasure to have you here at VOA. My question is: you supported Kazakhstan’s bid to chair the OSCE back in 2007. Please tell us the main reason for your support.
Co-Chairman Hastings:That’s a very good question and, I had been involved at that time in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for almost 12 years and including at some point a few years back becoming the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE. I worked with the Central Asian countries pretty much six or seven years after they gained their independence in the early ‘90s until today.More ...
Question:Good morning, Congressman Hastings. It is our pleasure to have you here at VOA. My question is: you supported Kazakhstan’s bid to chair the OSCE back in 2007. Please tell us the main reason for your support.
Co-Chairman Hastings:That’s a very good question and, I had been involved at that time in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for almost 12 years and including at some point a few years back becoming the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE. I worked with the Central Asian countries pretty much six or seven years after they gained their independence in the early ‘90s until today.More ...
Kazakhstan's foreign minister on his country's unlikely new role as Europe's democracy watchdog.
05.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
In a landmark for Central Asia, Kazakhstan this year has taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) -- a key intergovernmental organization that monitors everything from security cooperation to political and human rights in 56 member states across Europe.More ...
Not a fair deal - Turkmenistan's relations with the West
04.02.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
When Turkmenistan began opening up to the outside world following the death of President Saparmurat Niazov three years ago, the theory was that increased economic engagement by Western states would encourage a more general relaxation of policy in such areas as human rights and political liberties.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with Hillary Clinton: Photo by US State Department.More ...
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with Hillary Clinton: Photo by US State Department.More ...
In the fight of judges versus journalists, both sides face hard choices
03.02.2010. Category:Tajikistan
The first hearing on the lawsuit by three judges against three independent newspapers in Tajikistan was held yesterday (Tuesday, 2 February). It showed that there will be serious battles ahead between the two sides precisely because so much is at stake. Will the government choose power over justice? Will the media choose safety over truth?More ...
OSCE welcomes Kazakhstan as chair, but raises its record on rights
03.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
The U.S. arm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has welcomed Kazakhstan as the new chair of the organization but cautioned the former Soviet republic that it must improve its own rights record if it wants to be effective in its new role.
OSCE Chairman n Office Kanat Saudabaev says his government will deepen the OSCE's humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan
February 02, 2010More ...
OSCE Chairman n Office Kanat Saudabaev says his government will deepen the OSCE's humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan
February 02, 2010More ...
OSCE media freedom representative concerned about persecution of journalists in Uzbekistan
02.02.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, said today that he was deeply concerned by the continuing harassment of journalists in Uzbekistan.
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More ...Photographer faces jail for 'defaming' life in Uzbekistan
29.01.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
Amnesty International has urged the Uzbekistani government to allow its people freedom of expression after one of the country's most prominent photographers was charged with "defamation of the Uzbekistani people“.
More ...
More ...Turkmen students allowed to leave the ountry
29.01.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
Good news: Turkmenistan’s government has finally given the green light to students enrolled at private foreign universities to continue their studies abroad, putting an end to six months of uncertainty.More ...
Turkmen Leader to End Rights Abuses
28.01.2010. Category:Turkmenistan
President Nicolas Sarkozy should use the upcoming state visit by his Turkmen counterpart to speak out about Turkmenistan's abysmal human rights record and to press for concrete improvements, the French League for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, and Reporters Without Borders said today.
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Torture in Uzbekistan : still systematic and unpunished
20.01.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
The report was prepared from materials collected from the monitoring of the rights of persons under investigation and in detention. The monitoring was conducted during eight months in 2009 by the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan and Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners of Conscience, both based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan .
The Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights, based in Berlin, provided assistance with the collation and analysis of the data. Monitoring was conducted through interviews with individuals released from prisons, victims of torture, relatives of the convicted, and persons serving prison sentences and includes observation of court hearings. In addition, official responses from government agencies to claims of torture from alleged victims, press releases, and statements from local human rights organizations were included in the review.
The Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights, based in Berlin, provided assistance with the collation and analysis of the data. Monitoring was conducted through interviews with individuals released from prisons, victims of torture, relatives of the convicted, and persons serving prison sentences and includes observation of court hearings. In addition, official responses from government agencies to claims of torture from alleged victims, press releases, and statements from local human rights organizations were included in the review.
Consideration of the third periodic report under Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
18.01.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
The Expert Working Group of Uzbek NGOs and human rights practitioners prepared this report to inform the process of consideration for the third periodic report of Uzbekistan by the United Nations Human Rights Committee under the Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Previously Uzbekistan reported on the 83rd session of the UN Human Rights Committee held in March 2005.
The report covers the events for the period of 2005 to 2009. As for the range of issues, the current report largely repeats the previous 2005 NGO submission regarding the many problems and failures of the Uzbek Government to insure the rights guaranteed by the Covenant persisted.More ...
The report covers the events for the period of 2005 to 2009. As for the range of issues, the current report largely repeats the previous 2005 NGO submission regarding the many problems and failures of the Uzbek Government to insure the rights guaranteed by the Covenant persisted.More ...
Uzbek secret services collect the records about independent journalists
15.01.2010. Category:Uzbekistan
The Tashkent Public Prosecutor’s office conducted the series of interrogations of several independent journalists, working in Uzbekistan. On January 7 five of them – Vasiliy Markov, Sid Yanyshev, Abdumalik Boboev, Khusniddin Kutbiddinov and Marina Kozlova (that cooperated with various foreign mass media) were called for "an interview" with Bakhrom Nurmatov, the assistant Public Prosecutor of Tashkent. Vasiliy Markov and Abdumalik Boboev refused to show up without official notice; the rest of journalists met Mr. Nurmatov.
Each of the journalists was presented their own detailed record with articles, bio and other documents. Mr. Nurmatov informed that these documents were delivered from National Security Service (NSS) and Uzbek Foreign Affairs Ministry.More ...
Each of the journalists was presented their own detailed record with articles, bio and other documents. Mr. Nurmatov informed that these documents were delivered from National Security Service (NSS) and Uzbek Foreign Affairs Ministry.More ...
EU ignores Turkmen rights abuse, seeks gas
18.11.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
An international human rights watchdog on Tuesday accused the European Union of ignoring rights abuses in energy-rich Turkmenistan in the hopes of securing future natural gas supplies.More ...
All That Gas?: The EU and Turkmenistan
18.11.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
The European Commission is turning a blind eye to corruption, lack of transparency and poor human rights in the repressive police state of Turkmenistan in a bid to secure future gas supplies, according to a new illustrated briefing paper from the campaign group Global Witness, launched on the eve of the 2009 oil and gas conference in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital.
The report, ‘All that Gas?’ represents an innovative collaboration between Global Witness and cutting-edge satirical cartoonist, David Rees, who has produced original artwork for the publication. His seven new cartoons feature EU bureaucrats discussing crude strategies to ‘get the gas’. Rees is best-known for his US cartoon series ‘Get Your War On’, published on the internet and in Rolling Stone magazine.
Downloads:
All That Gas? (11/2009) Hi-res PDF
All That Gas? (11/2009) Lo-res version
Comic Strips (in Turkmen)
Comic Strips (Na russkom)
David Rees' Comic Strips (In English, hi-res)
Gazovyi vopros (11/2009), Word, na russkom
Hemme zat gaz üçinmi? (11/2009) Word, Türkmen
Press-Release (11/2009)
Source: Global Witness
The report, ‘All that Gas?’ represents an innovative collaboration between Global Witness and cutting-edge satirical cartoonist, David Rees, who has produced original artwork for the publication. His seven new cartoons feature EU bureaucrats discussing crude strategies to ‘get the gas’. Rees is best-known for his US cartoon series ‘Get Your War On’, published on the internet and in Rolling Stone magazine.
Downloads:
All That Gas? (11/2009) Hi-res PDF All That Gas? (11/2009) Lo-res version Comic Strips (in Turkmen) 
Comic Strips (Na russkom) 
David Rees' Comic Strips (In English, hi-res) 
Gazovyi vopros (11/2009), Word, na russkom Hemme zat gaz üçinmi? (11/2009) Word, Türkmen Press-Release (11/2009) Source: Global Witness
Sting, Valentino and others are visiting Gulnara Karimova
09.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
On October 17, 2009 under Art-Week Style.Uz-2009 project in Tashkent the opera house, named after Alisher Navoi, will host concert of legendary Sting. The ticket prices range from 2000000 to 4000000 sums (about $1100-2200). For information, this is one or two annual salaries of the college teachers in Uzbekistan.More ...
Ambassador of conscience: Interview with Craig Murray
08.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan | Central Asia
In 2002, Craig Murray, British ambassador to Uzbekistan, encountered something that he would describe as the real evil: the brutal campaign of torture and repression by the Islam Karimov regime. Later, in an interview with the Guardian, Murray described his encounters with victims of torture in Tashkent: “People come to me very often after being tortured. Normally this includes homosexual and heterosexual rape of close relatives in front of the victim; rape with objects such as broken bottles; asphyxiation; pulling out of fingernails; smashing of limbs with blunt objects; and use of boiling liquids including complete immersion of the body. This is not uncommon. Thousands of people a year suffer from this torture at the hands of the authorities.”
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U.S. OSCE official says dialogue best way to spread democracy
07.10.2009. Category:Central Asia
Michael Haltzel, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, heads the U.S. delegation at the OSCE's "Human Dimension" workshop taking place in Warsaw on September 28-29. In an interview with RFE/RL correspondent Ahto Lobjakas, he says engagement remains the best way to tackle difficult regimes. He also says he hopes to see gradual progress in those post-Soviet nations where human rights abuses remain regular and democratic standards have yet to take root. More ...
French President Sarkozy on state visit in Astana
07.10.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
France and Kazakhstan have signed energy and business deals worth $6bn (£3.8bn) during a visit to Astana by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.More ...
The European Union’s consideration to lift the arms embargo on Uzbekistan gives the signal to Uzbekistan’s government that the EU is prepared to accept Uzbekistan’s atrocious human rights record
05.10.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
The European Union’s consideration to lift the arms embargo on Uzbekistan gives the signal to Uzbekistan’s government that the EU is prepared to accept Uzbekistan’s atrocious human rights record.More ...
Allow access, freedom for civil society
02.10.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Human Rights Watch joined the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and 13 other groups in issuing a statement today calling on governments and companies that have recently gained access to Turkmenistan to use their connection to improve the lives of the country's more than 5 million people. The groups said these governments and companies should also press Turkmenistan to allow international civil society groups and human rights organizations to work in the country.More ...
Uzbek Appeals Court Upholds Sentence on Journalist
25.09.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Human rights activists and media experts have expressed disappointment at an appeals court’s decision to uphold a 12-year sentence handed down to journalist Dilmurod Sayid a month-and-a-half earlier.
The decision was made on September 11, when the Samarkand provincial court reviewed Sayid’s appeal.More ...
The decision was made on September 11, when the Samarkand provincial court reviewed Sayid’s appeal.More ...
Senior OSCE official visits Kazakh rights defender in detention, stresses importance of fair appeals process
21.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Following a meeting today with Kazakh human rights defender Yevgeny Zhovtis in the detention centre where he is held outside Almaty, the first deputy director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Douglas Wake, stressed the importance of full respect for fair trial standards in the consideration of Zhovtis' appeal.More ...
Uzbek human rights “progress” claim
16.09.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Human rights activists in Uzbekistan say they disagree strongly with claims by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, that the human rights situation is improving in the country.More ...
Human Rights activist sentenced
04.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Yevgeny Zhovtis, one of Kazakhstan’s leading human rights activists, was found guilty on September 3 of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison. Prior to the reading of the verdict, Zhovtis denounced his two-day trial as a "political setup."More ...
Trial against Human Rights activist opened
03.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
One of Kazakhstan’s most prominent human rights activists went on trial September 2, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The trial has cast a spotlight on Kazakhstan’s judicial system. It is also being viewed as a litmus test of Astana’s commitment to democratic procedures, coming as it does just four months before Kazakhstani officials take over the helm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).More ...
New abuse of jailed dissident
28.08.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Uzbek authorities should promptly investigate new allegations of abuse against a political prisoner, Yusuf Jumaev, and ensure that his family is permitted regular visits, Human Rights Watch said today.More ...
Confessions of an Uzbek KGB officer
21.08.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Newsnight hears the testimony of a man who claims he was an Uzbek intelligence officer.
Ikram Yakubov, who has defected from Uzbekistan, claims he was forced to fabricate evidence against innocent people and witnessed people being tortured.
He spoke to Peter Marshall.
You can watch the interview on BBC here.
Ikram Yakubov, who has defected from Uzbekistan, claims he was forced to fabricate evidence against innocent people and witnessed people being tortured.
He spoke to Peter Marshall.
You can watch the interview on BBC here.
Rights Activist Arrested
21.08.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Uzbek authorities should immediately drop any unsubstantiated criminal charges against Oyazimhon Hidirova, chairman of the Arnasai Branch of the International Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, and free her from pre-trial detention, Human Rights Watch said today. More ...
Meet Human Rights standards
04.06.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
(Almaty) - The Kazakh government has seven months to improve its human rights record to meet the standards of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) before it takes over the institution's chairmanship, Human Rights Watch said today.More ...
Rights group calls on Turkmenistan to back up promises
26.03.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
The Turkmen government should fully implement the recommendations issued by the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the rights watchdog Amnesty International has said.More ...
Hillary Clinton and Michel Obama to present the award of courage to Mutabar Tajiba
12.03.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
On March 11, at the solemn ceremony in Washington DC the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton and first lady Michel Obama will present «International Women Courage» award to the representatives of eight countries: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Guatemala, Iraq, Malaysia, Nigeria and Yemen.More ...
Prominent human rights activist Maxim Kushelov is placed to psychiatric facility
05.03.2009. Category:Kyrgyzstan
On March 4, 2009 the prominent Kyrgyz human rights activist Maxim Kushelov was arrested together with the colleague Mihail Kosolapov by the police on the way to White House of Kyrgyzstan, where they were planning to organize another demonstration under “Street Democracy lessons”.More ...
Clinton to present award to Uzbek Human Rights defender
05.03.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Uzbek human rights defender and former political prisoner Mutabar Tajibaeva will receive the International Women of Courage award in Washington next week. More ...
Human rights and military bases
05.03.2009. Category:Kyrgyzstan | Uzbekistan
In his Washington Post op ed last week, Kyrgyzstan’s long-time ambassador to the U.S. gave us a fascinating insight into the process of base negotiations. Once the U.S. had its base, he wrote, all concerns about human rights and democracy went out the window. The base became the alpha and omega of the U.S.-Kyrgyz relationship, a development he wisely termed detrimental to both sides. With U.S. expulsion from its prime supply base in Kyrgyzstan now looming on the horizon just as the Obama Administration prepares to implement its ramp-up in neighboring Afghanistan, the U.S. quest for a base to replace Manas (Ganci) Air Force Base is getting feverish. And how does this affect human rights policy?More ...
Russia does not protect its citizens in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
05.03.2009. Category:Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan
On March 2, the independent press-center hosted the press-conference “On the protection of compatriots’ rights in Turkmenistan. The problem in the freedom of move for citizens of Uzbekistan” in Moscow. The press-conference was attended by deputy manager of Human Rights Commissioner in Russia Georgyi Kunadze, Civil Assistance Committee chairman, Memorial human rights center Council member Svetlana Gannushkina, Memorial human rights center Central Asian program head Vitalyi Ponomarev and Vremya novostei international observer Arkadyi Dubnov.More ...
Two more independent journalists behind bars
05.03.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Two independent Uzbek journalists arrested on trumped-up charges should be released immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.More ...
German NGO banned by Tajik authorities
16.02.2009. Category:Tajikistan
A Dushanbe court has banned the activities of a German NGO operating in Tajikistan, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.More ...
Astana willing to adress torture issue
16.02.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Kazakhstani human rights activists involved in a project to tackle torture in three Central Asian states have given a cautious welcome to Astana’s willingness to engage on the issue. Activists offer far less enthusiastic assessments when discussing the use of torture in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.More ...
Turkmenistan: Continuing failure to fulfil promises
12.02.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Politically motivated harassment, detentions and imprisonments continue unabated in Turkmenistan despite the government's promises to uphold human rights, Amnesty International said today, ahead of the government’s second anniversary. More ...
Jailed activist remains out of contact with wife and lawyer
23.01.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Mutabar Turgunova told RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service that her husband, Azam, a well-known human rights activist who is serving a 10-year sentence, has had no contact with his lawyer or with her since December.
A vocal human rights activist for more than a decade, Turgunov has defended the rights of political and religious prisoners and protested against the use of torture in Uzbekistan's prisons.
He once told Human Rights Watch that "if everybody stays silent, the situation would get even worse."
In October, he was tried and convicted on charges of extortion.
But since the case was reviewed last month, "neither I nor his lawyer know where he is," Turgunova said.More ...
A vocal human rights activist for more than a decade, Turgunov has defended the rights of political and religious prisoners and protested against the use of torture in Uzbekistan's prisons.
He once told Human Rights Watch that "if everybody stays silent, the situation would get even worse."
In October, he was tried and convicted on charges of extortion.
But since the case was reviewed last month, "neither I nor his lawyer know where he is," Turgunova said.More ...
US and Central Asia during the "Obama Era"; Interview Deutsche Welle (in Russian)
21.01.2009. Category:Central Asia
"В фокусе будет находиться Афганистан, а права человека и дальнейшая демократизация в Центральной Азии не будут столь важны"- считает немецкий экспертMore ...
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan as a Ministry of Propaganda
20.01.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
On January 15 2009 Embassy of Uzbekistan to the United States released a press release on the consideration of Uzbekistan’s National Report within the framework of Universal Periodic Report of UN Human Rights Council.
More ...Death threats against journalist continue
14.01.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Journalist Osman Hallyev continues to receive death threats as pressure on him and his family members continues because of his work for RFE/RL's Turkmen Service.More ...
Freedom House: Human Rights Erosion in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan continued in 2008
14.01.2009. Category:Tajikistan | Turkmenistan | Kyrgyzstan | Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | Central Asia
According to US-based Freedom House recent Freedom In The World 2009 (FITW) annual report, based on analysis of the events from January 1 to December 31 of 2009, none of Central Asia states had positively changed the situation with human right.
More ...HRW calls on the new US President to reverse the damage of the Bush years
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has used its annual report to urge the incoming Obama administration to make the protection and defense of human rights the central tenant of its policy decisions on foreign and national affairs.More ...