(WiPC/IFEX) – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that on 4 July 2000, the Uzbek Ministry of Interior in Tashkent responded to a Human Rights Watch report which claimed that imprisoned writer Mamadali Makhmudov is in poor health. The ministry is said to have rejected the report, adding that Makhumdovâs health is “satisfactory” and that he […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that on 4 July 2000, the Uzbek Ministry of Interior in Tashkent responded to a Human Rights Watch report which claimed that imprisoned writer Mamadali Makhmudov is in poor health. The ministry is said to have rejected the report, adding that Makhumdovâs health is “satisfactory” and that he had not requested medical treatment in prison.
Makhmudov is serving a fourteen-year sentence in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He is convicted of threatening the constitutional order because of his links to the opposition movement. International PEN considers him to be detained in denial of his rights to freedom of expression and association and is calling for his release.
On 22 June, the New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a press release on its concerns about reports that Makhmudov is suffering ill-treatment and a harsh prison regime as a result of his public protests against torture that he and other defendants suffered while under interrogation (see IFEX alert of 29 June 2000).
International PEN continues to protest Makhmudovâs detention. It also calls for a full and impartial investigation into the allegations that he and other defendants tried alongside him were tortured.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– pointing out that Makhmudovâs detention falls foul of international standards guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression and association
– urging that a full and impartial investigation be carried out into allegations that Makhmudov and his co-defendants suffered torture under interrogation
– calling for his immediate and unconditional release
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
President Islam Abduganievch Karimov
70000 g. Tashkent
pr. Uzbekistansky
Rezidentsiya prezidenta
Fax: + 998 71 139 5315
E-mail: uzinfo@uzinfo.gov.uz
Ms. Sayora Rashidova
Commissioner for Human Rights
700008 g. Tashkent
pl. Mustqkillik, 2, Oliy Majlis
Respubliki Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 139 8555
E-mail: mtillaboev@oliymajlis.gov.uz
Mr Ubaydulla Mingbayev
Chairman of the Supreme Court of Republic of Uzbekistan
700183 g. Tashkent,
ul. Abdualla odiri, 1,
Verkhovny sud Respubliki
Fax: +998 71 141 0028
Please note that PEN members have found difficulty in getting their faxes through to Uzbekistan. If this is the case, you are recommended to write to the Representative of Uzbekistan in your country, asking him or her to forward your concerns to the relevant authorities in Tashkent.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
