UN: Concerns Voiced Over Torture In Uzbekistan

[struggle4progress]

Friday, 24 June 2005, 10:46 am
Press Release: United Nations

UN Human Rights Officials Voice Concern Over Allegations Of Torture In Uzbekistan

Senior United Nations human rights officials today voiced concern over allegations of torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention in Uzbekistan in connection with last month’s violent protests in the Andijan region of the Central Asian country.

“We appeal to the Government to ensure strict observance of its international human rights obligations under international law, particularly the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to ensure that the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment is respected on its territory,” they said in a joint statement.

The Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights on torture, Manfred Nowak, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Leila Zerrouguï, and Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, also deplored reports of people being held incommunicado.

“We express our deep concern about reports that Uzbek authorities are pressuring human rights defenders who are collecting evidence on the events of 13 May, and pressuring Uzbek asylum-seekers in Kyrgyzstan to return, in order to suppress their testimonies in relation to the events in Andijan,” they added. <snip>

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00403.htm

[mom cat]

1. Thr human rights violations there sound like they learned something the

fron the US.