President Islam Karimov
Office of the President
43 Uzbekistan Avenue,
700163 Tashkent
Uzbekistan

4 July 2008

Your Excellency

Front Line is gravely concerned following reports of the psychiatric hospitalisation of human rights
defender Vadim Olsevich on 12 June 2008. Vadim Olsevich has been involved in the monitoring of
conditions in hospitals for patients suffering from tuberculosis in Tashkent and the surrounding areas.
Vadim Olsevich reported on his findings to members of the Alliance of Human Rights Defenders of
Uzbekistan (PAU), a non-governmental organisation of which he is a member.

On 12 June 2008, Vadim Olsevich was transferred to Psychiatric Clinic No1 in Tashkent. While a
patient at the Tuberculosis Hospital No2 in Tashkent he had been engaged in monitoring the conditions
and standards of patient care in the hospital - including malnutrition and alleged negligent treatment -
and reporting to members of PAU on such issues.

Prior to his transfer to the psychiatric unit, Vadim Olsevich had allegedly been threatened and insulted
by physicians and been beaten by patients who had reportedly been paid to do so. According to
reports, Vadim Olsevich is currently detained in Department 14 of Clinic No1, where he is being forced
to take psychotropic medication, including aminazine and triftazine. He has no history of a psychiatric
condition and was transferred to the hospital against his will.

It is believed that the psychiatric hospitalisation of Vadim Olsevich is directly related to his work in
defence of human rights, in particular through his monitoring and reporting of alleged human rights
violations in hospitals in the Tashkent region. Front Line believes that Vadim Olsevich's transfer to a
psychiatric facility may form part of an ongoing campaign against human rights defenders in
Uzbekistan and fears for his physical and psychological integri

Front Line urges the Uzbek authorities to:

1. Immediately release Vadim Olsevich from psychiatric treatment as his transfer to a psychiatric
clinic is directly related to the exercise of his legitimate right to report allegations of human
rights violations;
2. Conduct an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into the allegations of ill-

treatment suffered by Vadim Olsevich with the results made public and those found responsible
brought to justice;
3. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Vadim Olsevich while hospitalised, and
ensure his freedom from ill-treatment as is his right under Article 5 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Punishment or Treatment, or Punishment;
4. Ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their legitimate work in
defence of human rights, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.

Front Line respectfully reminds you that the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,
adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy
of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without fear of
reprisals. We would particularly draw attention to Article 6 (a): “Everyone has the right, individually and
in association with others: (a) to know, seek, obtain, receive and hold information about all human
rights and fundamental freedoms, including having access to information as to how those rights and
freedoms are given effect in domestic legislative, judicial or administrative systems,” and to Article 12
(2): “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.”

Yours sincerely,

Mary Lawlor
Director