Uzbekistan: Human rights defender Vadim Olsevich was released from psychiatric hospital - 10 Июля 2008

Posted 04/07/2008 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 integrity.

Take ActionPlease take action on behalf of Uzbek human rights defender Vadim Olsevich.

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

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

I am 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.

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. I believe 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 integrity.

I urge 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.

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 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,
Action Finished: This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.

Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.