Re: Uzbekistan – Human rights defenders arrested and fined for organising peaceful protest

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received the authorities arrested, tried and fined ten human rights defenders following their organisation of, and participation in, a peaceful demonstration in Tashkent on 6 December 2008. The defenders were members of the Ezgulik Human Rights Society, the Committee of Prisoners of Conscience and Uzbek Human Rights Alliance.

On 6 December 2008, members of the aforementioned human rights organisations held a “Human Rights Parade” in front of the Prosecutor General´s Office to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to demand freedom for all political prisoners and Muslims imprisoned for their faith. Following the peaceful demonstration, ten protesters were reportedly arrested by secret service agents who allegedly used brute force against human rights defenders Victoria Bajenova and Lyudmila Kutepova.

The detained human rights defenders were taken to the Mirzo-Ulugbek Criminal Court where they were charged with “organisation of unlawful rallies” and “resisting arrest.” All ten pleaded innocent to these charges. The court later released the defenders but fined each of them more than 250,000 Uzbek sums (approximately €150). One of the protesters, Zulkhumor Tuichiyeva, the mother of Muzaffar Tuichiyev who was allegedly murdered by the police, was fined 280,000 Uzbek sums (approximately €160), a sum more than four times her monthly pension.

Front Line believes that the arrests and fines of members of the aforementioned human rights organisations is an attempt to dissuade them from their legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights, especially their campaign for prisoners of conscience. Front Line is concerned that these latest arrests and fines against human rights defenders form part of a larger pattern of intimidation against human rights defenders in Uzbekistan.

Front Line urges the authorities in Uzbekistan to:

1. Repeal the fines levied against the ten human rights defenders from Ezgulik Human Rights Society, the Committee of Prisoners of Conscience and Uzbek Human Rights Alliance as Front Line believes that they were sentenced solely on account of their legitimate human rights activities;
2. Launch an immediate, impartial and exhaustive investigation into the allegations of police brutality against Victoria Bajenova and Lyudmila Kutepova with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
3. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all members of the Tashkent human rights community;
4. Take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their legitimate human rights activities, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.

Front Line respectfully reminds you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw attention to Article 12: (1.) “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms” and (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” and to Article 11: “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to the lawful exercise of his or her profession.”

Yours sincerely,

Mary Lawlor
Director