The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Uzbekistan.
According to the information received, on February 23, 2010, at around 8 p.m., Mr. Dmitry Tikhonov was violently attacked in his garage in Angren by two unidentified men. One of them, asked - while strangling him - : “Why do you write on the Internet all the time”? As Mr. Tikhonov tried to escape, he was hit on the head with an iron rod and lost consciousness. Although he was diagnosed with a serious concussion, he refused to be admitted to an hospital, fearing other attacks. On February 28, police officers carried out an inspection in Mr. Tikhonov’s garage, and on March 1, Mr. Tikhonov underwent a medical examination.
The Observatory condemns the physical assault against Mr. Tikhonov, which took place in a context where human rights defenders are repeatedly targeted and threatened, especially since the last parliamentary elections in December 2009, and urges the Uzbek authorities to carry through an immediate, thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the above-mentioned facts, in order to identify those responsible and bring them in the shortest delays before a competent and impartial tribunal. The Observatory recalls that two Uzbek human rights defenders, Messrs. Bakhtior Khamraev and Mamir Azimov, were similarly assaulted in November 2009[1].
The Observatory is also concerned with Mr. Tikhonov’s health, considering the serious injuries he suffered as a result of the assault, and urges the Uzbek authorities to provide him medical care and guarantee him physical protection.
The Observatory recalls more generally that as a participating State of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Observatory recalls that Uzbekistan recognises “the need for particular attention, support and protection for human rights defenders by the OSCE, its Institutions and field operations, as well as by participating States”.
Actions requested:
Please write to the authorities in Uzbek authorities, urging them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Dmitry Tikhonov as well as all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan;
ii. Order an immediate, thorough, effective and impartial investigation into the above-mentioned attack, the result of which must be made public, in order to identify those responsible, bring them before a competent and impartial tribunal and apply to them the sanctions provided by the law;
iii. Put an end to all acts of harassment against Mr. Dmitry Tikhonov as well as all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan;
iv. Conform with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels” and its Article 12.2, which states that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”;
v. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Uzbekistan.
Addresses :
· President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov, ul. Uzbekistanskaya 43, Rezidentsia prezidenta, 700163 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz
· Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vladimir Imamovich Norov, Respublika Uzbekistan; 700029 g. Tashkent; pl. Mustakillik, 5; Ministerstvo inostrannykh del RU, S.S., Uzbekistan, Fax: + 998 71 139 15 17, E-Mail: info@tiv.uz
· Head of the Directorate of Execution of Sentences, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Abdukarim Shodiev, Ferganskoe shosse, 25, 700005 g. Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. Fax: +998 71 1916835. Email: mvd@mvd,uz / info@mvd.uz
· Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Sayora Rashidova, ul. Xalqlar Dostligi 1, 700035 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Fax: +998 71 139 85 55
· Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Buritosh Mustafaev, Respublika Uzbekistan; 700183 g. Tashkent; ul. Abdulla Kodiri, 1; Verkhovny Sud Respubliki Uzbekistan, Fax: + 998 71 144-62-93
· General Prosecutor of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Rashidjon Hamidovich Kodirov, ul. Gulyamova 66, 700047 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, Fax: +998 71 133 39 17 / 133 73 68
· National Centre for Human Rights, Senator Akmal Saidov, Natsionalny tsentr po pravam cheloveka, 5/3, Mustakillik Maidoni, g. 700029 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. Fax: + 998 71 139 13 56 / 45 16
· Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations in Geneva, PO Box 1853, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland, Fax: +4122 799 43 02, E-mail: uzbekistan@bluewin.ch
Please also write to the diplomatic representations of Uzbekistan in your respective countries.
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