Uzbekistan: civil society activists are released selectively

Since the beginning of his term, the new President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyayev a total of four political prisoners have been released: Bobomurod Razzokov, Samandar Kokanov, Rustam Usmanov, Muhammad Bekjanov and Jamshid Karimov. However, with the exception of Jamshid Karimov, all had served their full prison terms, and, in the case of Bekjanov and Usmanov even more than one additional prison term. Their releases were not brought about by thelast amnesty of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.

However, even though they have served their full prison sentences they remain under administrative supervision, which limits their rights, including the right to the freedom of movement. Administrative orders provide that people under supervision are forbidden to leave their homes in the evening, travel outside their city of residence, and they are obliged to register  with the Internal Affairs Department (OVD). So far, none of these five men have received a passport and they are not able to travel abroad for medical treatment. For example, during the investigation into the charges against him Muhammed Bekjanov was illegally deprived of his Tashkent residence permit and his property was confiscated by the state, despite the fact that his underage children were registered in this apartment.

 

Some observers have called the release of these political prisoners in Uzbekistan the beginning of a political thaw. This is far from truth. In fact, repressions against critics of the regime and civil society activists continue.

Most importantly, those whom United Nations international independent experts and international human rights organizations researchers call prisoners of conscience and persons convicted on politically motivated sentences remain imprisoned. The latest amnesty for prisoners, announced in Uzbekistan by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was not applied to them in any way.

The following prisoners of conscience remain in the penitentiary institutions of Uzbekistan:

1. Azam Formonov, 1978. (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

2. Mehriniso Hamdamova, 1960. (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

3. Zulhumor Khamdamova, 1969 (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

4. Gaybullo Jalilov, 1964 (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

5. Chuyan Mamatkulov, 1970. (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

6. Zafarjon Rakhimov, 1968 (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

7. Yuldash Rasulov, 1969 (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan - HRSU);

8. Isroilzhon Kholdorov, 1951 (Society for Human Rights of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik");

9. Dilmurod Saidov, 1962 (Society for Human Rights of Uzbekistan "Ezgulik");

10. Agzam Turgunov, 1951 (Human Rights Center Mazlum);

11. Fakhriddin Tillaev, 1971. (Human Rights Center Mazlum);

12. Nuraddin Jumaniyazov, 1948 (Human Rights Center Mazlum);

13. Ganikhon Mamathanov, 1951g. (Committee for the Protection of Individual Rights of Uzbekistan);

14. Solidzhon Abdurakhmanov, 1950 (Independent journalist);

15. Gayrat Mikhliboev, 1979 (Independent journalist);

16. Yusuf Ruzimuradov, 1958 Correspondent of "Erk" newspaper of the opposition party "Erk" of the same name;

 

also:

17. Botirbek Eshkusiev, 1978 Employee of the scientific and educational public journal "Irmok";

18. Bahrom Ibragimov. Employee of the scientific and educational public journal "Irmok";

19. Davron Kabilov 1973. Employee of the scientific and educational public journal "Irmok";

20. Davron Todzhiev 1981. Employee of the scientific and educational public journal "Irmok";

21. Ravshanbek Vafoev 1971. Employee of the scientific and educational public journal "Irmok";

22. Dilorom Abdukodirov 1966 Witness of the Andijan tragedy in 2005;

23. Erkin Musaev, 1967. The UN employee, in the past worked in the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Defense, engaged in international cooperation programs with Western governments, including the US and the EU.

   

We hope that international organizations, as well as governmental and intergovernmental structures of democratic countries will take this information into consideration and will put every possible effort to exert pressure on Shavkat Mirziyayev’ s regime for the release these political prisoners.