Re: Authorities prevent human rights defenders from participating in commemorative event to mark third anniversary of Andijan massacre - 19 Мая 2008

Front Line is extremely concerned by reports that the authorities have prevented the belowmentioned

human rights defenders of the Human Rights Defenders Alliance of Uzbekistan from

participating in a commemorative event on 13 May 2008 to mark the third anniversary of the

Andijan massacre. Rasulzhon Tadjibaev, Shurat Ahmadzhonov, Yelena Urlaeva and

Saidagzam Askarov were arrested. Lyudmila Mingazova, Karima Kamalova, Akramhodzha

Muhitidinov, Shadmanbek Fazilov and Tatyana Dovlatova were reportedly forced to stay in

their homes by law enforcement officials. Jana Ignatenko and Alisher Mamadzhanov were

prevented from laying flowers at the "Monument of Courage" by the Intelligence Service. In

addition, an attempt was made by officials of the Intelligence Service to detain Anatoli Volkov and

On the morning of 13 May 2008 Yelena Urlaeva was taken into custody by an official of the

Intelligence Service and a traffic policeman. She was transported to the local police station, where

Umar Shonazorov, a member of the police force, confiscated her mobile phone. At 16:30 Yelena

Urlaeva was taken by a convoy to her home and put under house arrest until 18:00, after which

A number of human rights defenders were able to secretly leave their apartments early in the

morning and go the “Monument of Courage,” but as they walked toward the monument they were

arrested by members of the police. The police reportedly arrested Saidagzam Askarov and took

him to the local police station Sobir-Pahimovsk, where they forced him to write a statement

denying his human rights activities and stating that he will no longer participate in non-government

Members of the police also reportedly arrested Rashulzhon Tadjibaev and took him to the local

police station Yunusabadsk, where his fingerprints were taken and they threatened to take him to

the Ferghana Valley if he continues to engage in human rights activities. Policemen demanded

that he sign a statement denying any human rights activities and that he will no longer participate

Shurat Ahmadzhonov was also arrested by the police and taken to the local police station

Hamzinsk.

Human rights defender Jana Ignatenko reportedly arrived at the "Monument of Courage" to lay

flowers in memory of the victims of Andijan and the shooting of her own son at the Israeli Embassy

in Tashkent on the same day. Members of the police would not allow her to approach the

monument and rudely directed her to vacate the area. Alisher Mamadzhanov had a similar

experience.

The Intelligence Service reportedly surrounded the “Monument of Courage,” but human rights

defender Victoria Vazhenova and Anatoli Volkov were able to lay flowers at it as foreign tourists

were watching. When Victoria Vazhenova photographed Anatoli Volkov, five members of the

Intelligence Service descended and tried to put him in the car. Victoria Vazhenova asked for help

from the group of foreign tourists and only due to their help were they not arrested.

Human rights defender Tatyana Dovlatova was reportedly informed early in the morning by the

Intelligence Service that she should stay at home on the 13 May 2008 and not call anyone, and

that if she did not do as told, there would be a harsh physical punishment for her children.

Lyudmila Mingazova, Karima Kamalova, Akramhodzha Muhitidinov, Shadmanbek Fazilov were

also blocked from leaving their homes.

Front Line believes that the above-mentioned human rights defenders were detained and

prevented from participating in a commemorative event to mark the third anniversary of the Andijan

massacre as a result of their work and activities in defence of human rights.

Front Line urges the authorities in Uzbekistan to:

1. Carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the above-mentioned

incidents where human rights defenders were prevented from participating in a commemorative

event, with a view to identifying those parties responsible, publishing the results and bringing

those responsible to justice;

2. Take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their

legitimate human rights work, 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 5: “For the purpose of

promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right,

individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels: (a) To meet or

assemble peacefully; (b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations,

associations or groups”, and 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