Front Line is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of human rights defender Mutabar Tadjibaeva following reports that she is being denied access to adequate medical treatment. Mutabar Tadjibaeva is the Chairperson of the human rights organisation “Plammenoe Serdtse” (Fiery Hearts Club) in the city of Ferghana. On 2 June 2008, she was released from Tashkent Women's Prison, where she was serving an 8-year sentence following a trial in which she was accused of slandering government bodies, holding unauthorized rallies, setting up illegal organisations, fraud, extortion, embezzlement, tax evasion and distributing material that poses a threat to public security and order. She is now serving a 3-year suspended sentence.

Posted 09/07/2008 On 4 July 2008, Mutabar Tadjibaeva released a statement in which she claimed that the government of Uzbekistan had compromised her health through negligent treatment and unnecessary surgical procedures. The human rights defender stated that her health had noticeably deteriorated in the three years she had spent in prison and that she had not felt well since undergoing a surgical procedure whilst under the care of the prison services. She further claims that the authorities did not specify the reasons for the surgery, nor did they provide her with her medical records or results upon her release.

Mutabar Tadjibaeva is furthermore unable to receive adequate post-surgical care due to the authorities' decision to prohibit her from leaving the city of Margilan, where she currently resides. This means that Mutabar Tadjibaeva currently has no access to adequate healthcare.

Front Line believes that the restriction of Mutabar Tadjibaeva's freedom of movement and the de facto denial of adequate medical treatment, is directly linked to her peaceful and legitimate work in defense of human rights. In light of reports of her ill-health, Front Line fears for Mutabar Tadjibaeva's physical and psychological integrity.

Take ActionPlease take action on behalf of human rights defender Mutabar Tadjibaeva in Uzbekistan.

Copy the enclosed letter and send it to the address provided.

Thank you for taking action on behalf of Mutabar Tadjibaeva.
Target adresses: President Islam Karimov
Office of the President
43 Uzbekistan Avenue
700163 Tashkent
Uzbekistan
Letter: Your Excellency

I am deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of human rights defender Mutabar Tadjibaeva following reports that she is being denied access to adequate medical treatment. Mutabar Tadjibaeva is the Chairperson of the human rights organisation “Plammenoe Serdtse” (Fiery Hearts Club) in the city of Ferghana. On 2 June 2008, she was released from Tashkent Women's Prison, where she was serving an 8-year sentence following a trial in which she was accused of slandering government bodies, holding unauthorized rallies, setting up illegal organisations, fraud, extortion, embezzlement, tax evasion and distributing material that poses a threat to public security and order. She is now serving a 3-year suspended sentence.

On 4 July 2008, Mutabar Tadjibaeva released a statement in which she claimed that the government of Uzbekistan had compromised her health through negligent treatment and unnecessary surgical procedures. The human rights defender stated that her health had noticeably deteriorated in the three years she had spent in prison and that she had not felt well since undergoing a surgical procedure whilst under the care of the prison services. She further claims that the authorities did not specify the reasons for the surgery, nor did they provide her with her medical records or results upon her release.

Mutabar Tadjibaeva is furthermore unable to receive adequate post-surgical care due to the authorities' decision to prohibit her from leaving the city of Margilan, where she currently resides. This means that Mutabar Tadjibaeva currently has no access to adequate healthcare.

I believe that the restriction of Mutabar Tadjibaeva's freedom of movement and the de facto denial of adequate medical treatment, is directly linked to her peaceful and legitimate work in defense of human rights. In light of reports of her ill-health, I fear for Mutabar Tadjibaeva's physical and psychological integrity.

I urge the authorities in Uzbekistan to:

Immediately and unconditionally grant Mutabar Tadjibaeva freedom to travel, thus allowing her access to adequate medical treatment;

Repeal Mutabar Tadjibaeva's suspended sentence as I believe that she was convicted solely on account of her legitimate human rights activities;

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.

I respectfully remind 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.

I 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: (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