Uzbekistan: the authorities drove a human rights activist to death

Abdurasul Khudoinazarov

Members of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia express their condolences to the relatives of human rights activist Abdurasul Khudoynazarov.

On 26 June 2014, at about 8 am, 58 years old activist Abdurasul Khudoinazarov died. He was a chairman of the Angren city department of Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik". The main focus of his work was to protect people from torture and the fight against corruption in law enforcement agencies.

On 30 May 2014 Abdurasul Khudoinazarov was released from prison. In 2005, charges were fabricated against him under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, Articles 165 (extortion) and 209 (forgery).

Khudoynazarov was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. It was the authorities' response to his principles.

Abdurasul Khudoinazarov was one of the first to support the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Uzbek government's refusal to allow an independent international investigation into the Andijan events (2005), when government forces used firearms against civilians.

After his release from prison Abdurasul Khudoinazarov lived with his family only for 25 days. While in custody, he was tortured, he repeatedly inflicted injuries, including being struck in the region of his liver; he was starved and had limited access to health care.

As an outspoken advocate against torture, Khudoinazarov had had a first-hand experience of the horror of the punitive system of Uzbekistan.

One of his inmates wrote to us: "Rasul was gentle, kind, responsive and a quiet man. The prison administration devised frequent provocations against him. As soon as the representatives of the International Red Cross expressed a desire to meet with him, he was taken away to the Khavast prison. I will tell you the story.

It was a Saturday, we were being transported from the Prison UYA64/21 of Bekabad; no explanation provided as to why. We were put into small vehicle; there were three foreigners, Rasul Khudoinazarov, I and other two prisoners. All of us were traveling in the same small cabin, under a lock, the windows were closed, and the heat of 50 degrees. It was summer. We were all sweating, struggling for air, ahead of us just the door with iron bars. The car in which we traveling was from the Soviet era, it did not have a shock absorber and every time it drove through a pot-whole we were thrown to the ceiling and dropped down dramatically, on top of it, we could not breathe properly. All this time, we were watched intently by two armed soldiers with dogs. This is how we travelled from Bekabad to Havast, some 40 kilometres away.

We were met by the prison chief (Major) Otabek  Sadyrov. It had just been 18 days since he took his new post of Chief of the Prison UYA64/SIZ-13 in Khavast. We were then registered as in transit so that the Red Cross would not be able to determine our location.

Rasul and I then spent in Khavast from 22 September until 16 November 2012. And then he was issued two disciplinary violations and sent to a prison colony.

We were kept in the toughest conditions. We had to endure not only unsanitary conditions, at times, we were not given food for two days and then they would give us food with rotten smell ... We were not allowed to sleep. We were not taken out for a walk. We were constantly under stress and waiting to die, because we felt completely unprotected, and the attitude towards us was as to enemies.

Rasul loved his wife and children. He always thought of them and dreamed that they live in a country where justice is restored and the children will be happy. He loved life and fought for his life. "

To the cherished memory of Abdurasulov Khudoynazarov!

Discrimination of ethnic Uzbeks continues in the Southern Kyrgyzstan

http://www.oshcity.kg/

On 9 June 2014 the State Inspectorate for Environment and Technical Security of the government of Kyrgyzstan published its decision in respect of 53 of small businesses.

These companies belong exclusively to ethnic Uzbeks and provide 600 jobs. All of them were functioning until June 2010. Their owners pay taxes to the budget of Kyrgyzstan. In 2010, about 300 properties owned by Uzbeks were damaged.

Mass closure of businesses in southern Kyrgyzstan, belonging to ethnic Uzbeks began under the pretext of changing the planning of the city of Osh, approved on 9 September 2010 and adopted by the Kyrgyz parliament. Rebuilding of the city entailed demolition of companies and their relocation to another part of the city. Because of this, a number of documents had to be re-issued in respect of a number of enterprises. This process started cancellation decisions of state institutions - the State Agency for Architecture, Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the Unified State Register of Statistic Units of the Kyrgyz Republic and others. Regulatory authorities are also involved in this process.

Each of these authorities can find a reason to close or hinder businesses. For example, State Sanitary and Epidemiology Agency has the authority to routine inspection of companies once a year. But the number of complaints about businesses owned by ethnic Uzbeks this organisation receives is increasing and the businesses are subjected to unscheduled inspections. As practice shows, the complaints are just an excuse for such inspections.

Recently, not the first time for this year, an inspection took place in a kebab house located in Shahit-Tyube. The reason for the inspection was a complaint about its owner, Abdullah Mamatov. Two doctors of the Sanitary and Epidemiology Agency sought to extort 2,000 soms for their conclusion of the absence of violations of the rules. Mamatov refused to give the bribe. As a result, doctors accused him that when they wanted to inspect a refrigerator, he allegedly threatened them with a knife. Their false statement was sent to the Department of Internal Affairs for instigation a criminal case against Abdullah Mamatov.

Uzbek entrepreneurs are demoralised and lack the desire to defend their rights because the courts in Kyrgyzstan, generally, adjudicate discriminatorily against ethnic Uzbeks.

Osh residents themselves believe that a new wave of closures of businesses belonging to Uzbeks started because of changes in the regime of Uzbek gas supplies to Kyrgyzstan.

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The following is the list of business owners located on Alisher Navoi Street and the city of Osh to be closed by the decision of the State Inspectorate for Environment and Security Technology of the Government of Kyrgyzstan:

1. Turdibay BORUBAEV, 11 family members, employs 3 people, they produce consumer goods, monthly tax payments — 4,700 Kyrgyz Sums;

2. Dildor DJUMABAEV, 6 family members, engaged in trade, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 2,600 Kyrgyz Sums.

3. Nemat AKHMEDOV, 6 family members, in business of catering, 5 employs 5 people, monthly tax payments — 6,100 Kyrgyz Sums.

4. Shukhrat SODIKOV, 6 family members, runs a mini-market, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments  — 1,700 Kyrgyz Sums.

5. Manzura MAMAKARIMOVA, 6 family members, in business of catering, employs 4 people, monthly tax payments — 4,000 Kyrgyz Sums.

6. Aziz ABDURAZAKOV, 8 family members, owns a mini-market, employs 3 people, monthly tax payments — 3,100 Kyrgyz Sums.

7. Aduraim AMANBAEV, 6 family members, in business of catering, employs 5 people, monthly tax payments — 2,900.

8. Khosiljan ABIDOV, 8 family members, owns a pastry shop «Samsa-khona», employs 6 people, monthly tax payments — 4,600 Kyrgyz Sums.

9. Matlyuba OMARJANOVA, 7 family members, in business of catering, employs 4 people, monthly tax payments — 5,100 Kyrgyz Sums.

10. Abdumanop RAKHIMOV, 11 family member, owns a pastry shop «Samsa-khona», employs 8 people, monthly tax payments — 9,500 Kyrgyz Sums.

11. Ibrohim NAZIMOV, 6 family members, owns a bakery shop «Tandoor-khona», employs 9 people, monthly tax payments — 4,100 Kyrgyz Sums.

12. Rasul KHALIBAEV, 2 family members, owner of a mini-market, employs 3 people, monthly tax payments — 5,500 Kyrgyz Sums.

13. Ulugbek KABULOV, 6 family members, entrepreneur (auto-electrician), employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 2,300 Kyrgyz Sums.

14. Sirojiddin TOKHTASINOV, 14 family members, entrepreneur (auto-electrician), employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 2,300 Kyrgyz Sums.

15. Rasul ERGASHEV, 2 family members, owner of the tyre repair and consumer goods shops, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 2,800 Kyrgyz Sums.

16. Aropatkhon MAMATOVA, 7 family members, owns a small grocery shop, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 2,700 Kyrgyz Sums.

17. Shakhobiddin PARPIEV, 8 family members, owner of a kebab shop, employs 3 people, monthly tax payments — 4,300 Kyrgyz Sums.

18. Abdulloh MAMASADIKOV, 7 family members, owner of a mobile top-up service shop (using PayPal), employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 750 Kyrgyz Sums.

19. Avazbek TADJIMATOV, 10 family members, owns a shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 750 Kyrgyz Sums.

20. Rahmatillo NEMATOV, 11 family members, owns a butcher’s shop, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 3,000 Kyrgyz Sums.

21. Abduvali KHAKIMOV, 4 family members, owns a barber’s shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 700 Kyrgyz Sums.

22. Valijon MADUSMANOV, 8 family members, owns a shop, employs 5 people, monthly tax payments — 4,500 Kyrgyz Sums.

23. Poziljon YULDASHEV, 4 family members, owns a shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 500 Kyrgyz Sums.

24. Mahamad SODIKOV, 9 family members, owner of a bakery, employs 3 people, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

25. Ikhtiyor KHAKIMOV, 5 family members, produces consumer goods, employs 2 people, a new business.

26. Nastullo AZIMOV, 7 family members, owns a shop, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 1,050 Kyrgyz Sums.

27. Abdugashar MATKHALIKOV, 5 family members, owns a grocery shop, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 750 Kyrgyz Sums.

28. Rano KHAKIMOVA, 4 family members, owns a mini-market, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 1,900 Kyrgyz Sums.

29. Polot ERGESHBAEV, 5 family members, owns a «Minutka», employs 1person, monthly tax payments — 1,700 Kyrgyz Sums.

30. Ogilkhon MIRZABAEVA, 5 family members, Public Foundation «Iffron» (field of work— gender policies, women, unemployed), employs 21 people.

31. Gilabza SIROJIDINOVA, 6 family members, sells mobile phones and accessories, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 700 Kyrgyz Sums.

32. Mukhtarjon SHAROBIDINOV, 7 family members, produces consumer goods, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

33. Nargiza TADJIBAEVA, 7 family members, owner of a tyre repairs shop, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

34. Khursanjon AKHMEDOV, 7 family members, in business of catering, employs 8 people, monthly tax payments — 9,800 Kyrgyz Sums.

35. Makhmudjon RAKHIMOV, 10 family members, owns a mini-market, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 6,500 Kyrgyz Sums.

36. Mukaddaamkhon UMARALIEVA, 4 family members, small retain business, disabled (severity level 2), tax exempt, employs 1 person.

37. Zulfizar MAKHKAMBAEVA, 4 family members, self-employed entrepreneur, employs 5 people, monthly tax payments — 2,800 Kyrgyz Sums.

38. Adumalik BEKMIRZAEV, 1 family member, owner of a pastry shop «Samsa-khona», employs 4 people, monthly tax payments — 4,700 Kyrgyz Sums.

39. Tolonbay ABDULLAEV, 3 family members, owner of a chai-khana, employs 4 people, monthly tax payments — 1,200 Kyrgyz Sums.

40. Kodirjon SOIPOV, 4 family members, owner of welding shop «Zakir-аtа», employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 2000 Kyrgyz Sums 2000.

41. Yarkinboy YULDAHSBAEV, 7 family members, owner of the chai-khana «Margilan Darvoza», employs his family members only, monthly tax payments — 1,200 Kyrgyz Sums.

42. Adhamjan GAIPOV, 5 family members, owns a barber’s shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 700 Kyrgyz Sums.

43. Abidjan OSMANOV, 4 family members, self-employed (auto-electrician), currently with no job.

44. Azizillo NEMATOV, 7 family members, entrepreneur (auto-electrician), employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

45. Sanjar MAKHADJANOV, 9 family members, TV and radios repair man, employs 2 people, exempt from taxes.

46. Ayitbay MAMATKHUNOV, 11 family members, owns a chai-khana, currently has no job.

47. Ibrohimjon KHAKIMOV, 7 family members, owns a shop, employs 1 person, currently out of job.

48. Mirzohid AZIMOV, 5 family members, owns a tyre repair and consumer goods shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

49. Ayitbay MAMATAKHUNOV, 11 family members, owns a consumer goods shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 800 Kyrgyz Sums.

50. Maxmadali ARTIKALIEV, 10 family members, owns a shop of animal feed, employs 3 people, monthly tax payments — 2,550 Kyrgyz Sums.

51. Makhmudjan MIRAKHMEDOV, 7 family members, owns a consumer goods shop, employs 1 person, monthly tax payments — 850 Kyrgyz Sums.

52. Komoldin SHARIPOV, 5 family members, entrepreneur (auto-electrician), employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 900 Kyrgyz Sums.

53. Sodikjon YUSUPOV, 5 family members, owns a small diner, employs 2 people, monthly tax payments — 1,300 Kyrgyz Sums.

Death of another activist fighter for independence of Karakalpakstan

In March 2014 it was reported that a prisoner Konyratbay Allaniyazov died but his body was not given to his family.   

Even relatives do not know the exact date of the death of Konyratbaya Allaniyazov. They were intimidated; they do not comment on the situation.

Konyratbay
ALLANIYAZOV

Konyratbay ALLANIYAZOV was born in 1953 in Takhtakupir district of Karakalpakstan Autonomous Republic (Uzbekistan). Previously he worked as a director of a timber factory of the Takhiatash city of the Khodzheli District of Karakalpakstan.

In the early 1990s he took an active part in the activities of Karakalpakstan party "Halyk mypy" ("Will of the People"). Its leaders Marat Nurmukhamedov and Marat Aralbayev did much to include the Article 74 to the Constitution of Uzbekistan, which states: "The Republic of Karakalpakstan has the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a general referendum of the people of Karakalpakstan."

Allaniyazov openly expressed his civil position, criticized the regime for discrimination of residents of Karakalpakstan pointing to the most acute problems. Following the death threats, they fabricated charges against him under the Article 273 of the Uzbek Criminal Code (illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, and other activities involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances with intent to sell, as well as their sales). He was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

Increasingly, representatives of Karakalpak people express their desire to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan. The central government of Uzbekistan finances Karakalpakstan on leftovers and totally controls all activities in the autonomous republic. Many activists of the opposition movement and participants of karakalpak protests are arrested. Information about them is blocked. They were all tortured and placed in conditions comparable to torture. Allaniyazov is the third Karakalpak activist whose death became known last year.

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Abdigani IDRISOV was born in 1965. He graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics of the Nukus State University and worked as a teacher. Later, he became a religious figure. He was an Imam of the Karauzyak District. Before his arrest, he lived in Chimbay District.

In February 2012, he was charged under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan Articles 210 (bribery) and 273 (Illegal manufacture, acquisition, storage, and other activities involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances with intent to sell, as well as their sales).

Drugs were suddenly "discovered" under the pillow in the house, where he was invited to visit. Idrisov was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment. He was repeatedly tortured. He was released on the eve of his death.

On 14 February 2013, he died as a result of torture, without regaining consciousness.

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Makset Ismetov was born in 1958. He was behind the creation of Karakalpakstan’s Party of "Halyk mypy" ("Will of the People"). He openly criticized the government for limiting fundamental freedoms of the Karakalpak people.

He was sentenced to imprisonment on charges of "organizing mass disorder" that occurred in the Chimbay District on 17 November 2010. According to witnesses, that day, more than 500 people came out to protest when they learned that the authorities want to relocate the Chimbay Creamery (Karakalpakstan) into the Khorezm Region. For many locals this decision meant the loss of work. People spontaneously gathered in the street in protest to this decision. On that day, the crowd occupied the state administration building, the hokim (head of the local administration) and his deputies were beaten. On the same day the uprising was suppressed, about 300 protesters were arrested, 30 of them are still in custody.

Makset Ismetov was accused of organising the protest. And his brother Aryslan Ismetov who was working as a prosecutor in Nukus at that time, was also imprisoned on false charges.

On 6 March 2013 Makset Ismetov died while in custody.

The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia expresses Condolences to relatives of Konyratbay Allaniyazov, Abdigani Idrisov and Makset Ismetov. They paid the price for freedom of expression and publication of the concerns of the population of Karakalpakstan. We are convinced that Allaniyazov, Idris and Ismetov were victims of extrajudicial executions, for which the Uzbek authorities are responsible. To investigate the circumstances of the death of activists in the current situation is impossible.