On 15 May 2013 the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia received a statement of the Human Rights Alliance of
Uzbekistan on the state of health of Uzbek activist Malokhat Eshankulova. Previously, on 27 March 2013, a journalist Ms Bukharbayeva and she appealed to public for support in
obtaining medical care for Eshankulova.
Our organisation considered this application
contacted Malokhat Eshankulova via our representative to learn about her state of health and to facilitate her access to a
doctor. She said that she was going to
undergo a treatment with a healer of Turkish origin. At that point, our
organisation made a
statement regarding her story that Malokhat Eshankulova was poisoned, we stand by our statement which is as follows:
1) In March of this year, Malokhat Eshankulova publicly stated
that she
feels unwell since
December 2013, she lost considerable weight. But she still has not undergone a medical examination. With the
support and
sponsorship of colleagues (Union of Real Journalists of Uzbekistan), Eshankulova
preferred to
have a treatment of healers, and it is her rightful choice. However, if she was to choose to have a medical examination, but does not
trust the Uzbek doctors, there is nothing that prevents her from contacting doctors in Kazakhstan or Russia;
2) Lack
of medical certification of
the state of health prevents us from concluding that Eshankulova was poisoned by Uzbek
authorities;
3) Her
reproaches and demands of medical
assistance aimed at diplomatic missions of democratic
countries in Uzbekistan continue even after it became known that the American
clinic provides services only to U.S. citizens and green card holders.
Besides, on 6 April, Eshankulova stated that the U.S.
diplomats had a meeting
with her which lasted for
over an hour. According to her, she was advised to call an ambulance or go to
the “Sappho TIBBIYOT” medical centre in Tashkent, where professionals provide services to
all who come to them. According to our colleagues in Uzbekistan while
visiting the medical
centre, one does not even
have to show his passport - you only pay for the services. Malokhat
Eshankulova has a sponsor, so she can
easily get medical help.
Authors of the above mentioned should
pay attention to the fact that, because we are not doctors, we have not tried and do not attempt to certify the status of health of Malokhat
Eshankulova.
We are convinced that in the current situation Eshankulova should
consult a doctor of her choice and undergo a thorough examination. If the story of her boing poisoned is confirmed, our
organisation is willing
to reconsider its position and help Eshankulova to obtain qualified legal assistance as
well as assist her to ensure
her safety, if
necessary.
