Human rights defenders in Eurasia
| Uzbekistan Freedom of expression is under threat in Uzbekistan following the events on 13 May 2005 in Andizhan. Scores of independent civil society activists have been targeted and harassed by the authorities. They have been subjected to physical assaults, beatings, threats, arbitrary arrests, being forcibly confined to their houses, with phone lines being cut off, being charged with criminal activities and sentenced to terms of imprisonment. Five activists from Andizhan Between 28 May and 2 June 2005 five human rights activists from Andizhan were detained for being in possession of a statement on the Andizhan events, published by the secular opposition party, Birlik (Unity). They are Dilmurod Muhiddinov, Musozhon Bobozhonov, Nurmukhammad Azizov, Akbar Oripov and Muhammadkodir Otakhonov. On 12 January 2006 Dilmurod Muhiddinov was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Srednechirchik District Court. His fellow activists, Musozhon Bobozhonov, Nurmukhammad Azizov and Akbar Oripov, received suspended three-year prison terms and were released from the courtroom. Muhammadkodir Otakhonov was released in October 2005. According to the human rights organization Ezgulik, the four men were convicted on charges of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order”, “preparing and distributing materials containing a threat to public order and security”, and “participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist and other banned organisations”. Ezgulik and other local human rights organizations that had tried to attend the trial reported that no one, not even relatives of the defendants, was allowed into the court building. Amnesty International considers Dilmurod Muhiddinov to be a prisoner of conscience and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Take action Write to the President of Uzbekistan urging him to release Dilmurod Muhiddinov immediately and revoke the sentences of Musozhon Bobozhonov, Nurmukhammad Azizov and Akbar Oripov. President Karimov 700163 g. Tashkent, ul. Uzbekistanskaia, 43, Prezidentu Respubliki Uzbekistan Karimovu I.A., Uzbekistan Fax: +998 71 139 53 25 E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz Salutation: Dear Mr. President |  |
