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Uzbekistan

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Campaigns and Advocacy

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UN review should highlight atrocious record

Human Rights Watch calls for the release of imprisoned activists and an end to rights abuses.

CPJ urges Uzbekistan to acquit Umida Akhmedova, release imprisoned journalists

In an open letter, CPJ calls on the Uzbek president to guarantee the right to freedom of expression for all citizens.

EU fails human rights victims, say Human Rights Watch and RSF

IFEX members Human Rights Watch and RSF say the EU decision to drop sanctions would severely damage the credibility of its human rights policy worldwide.

Thirty-two IFEX members and other partners call on Uzbek President to release wrongfully imprisoned journalist Salijon Abdurahmanov

Abdurahmanov was the only independent correspondent to cover the whole of Karakalpakstan, whose people have already lost the sea, fish, jobs, prosperity and health, and are now losing their last hope for the future.

From the Communiqué

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Thirty-two IFEX members demand release of reporter serving 10 years

An Uzbek journalist who dared to cover some of his country's worst environmental disasters was arrested last year on trumped-up drug charges and is now serving 10 years in jail. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House and 30 other IFEX members have sent a joint letter to the Uzbek authorities to demand that Salijon Abdurahmanov is freed and that journalists are never imprisoned for their work.

EU RELAXES UZBEK SANCTIONS DESPITE REPORTER'S JAILING

An Uzbek journalist who wrote on issues of social and economic justice, human rights and corruption has been given 10 years in jail on fabricated charges, report ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members. Ironically, his weighty jail sentence came just days before the European Union (EU) decided to ease sanctions against Uzbekistan for alleged progress on human rights issues.

RIGHTS ACTIVIST FREED

Last week Uzbek human rights defender Mutabar Tojibaeva was released from jail, where she was serving an eight-year prison sentence for her outspoken criticism of the government following the Andijan massacre, says Human Rights Watch.

THREE YEARS ON FROM ANDIJAN, INDEPENDENT PRESS STILL STRANGLED

Three years after civilians were killed by Uzbek security forces in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan, the government continues to persecute journalists, activists and human rights defenders who spoke out against the massacre, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch.

THREE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS RELEASED

The Uzbek government has released three human rights activists ahead of a meeting with the European Union (EU), but at least a dozen more remain in jail, reports Human Rights Watch.

HUMAN RIGHTS WORKER FREED AFTER CONFESSING IN COURT

An Uzbek human rights defender was released on parole last week after she confessed to her "crimes", report Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).