In a 24 January 2000 letter to the chair of the Committee of Press and Information, Utkir Hashimov, IFJ expressed its concern over the recent closure of two non-governmental TV stations just prior to national elections. According to IFJ’s information, on 17 November 1999, the Interagency Coordination Commission (MKK), the Uzbek government’s committee on governing […]
In a 24 January 2000 letter to the chair of the Committee of Press and Information, Utkir Hashimov, IFJ expressed its concern over the recent closure of two non-governmental TV stations just prior to national elections.
According to IFJ’s information, on 17 November 1999, the Interagency Coordination Commission (MKK), the Uzbek government’s committee on governing licenses and registrations for broadcasting, held its first meeting of the 1999 annual re-registration process. Following this meeting behind closed doors, two stations were closed: ALC in Urgench, and Aloka A.K. in Gulistan. These are two of the strongest non-governmental television stations in Uzbekistan, and have actively participated in Internews programs in past years.
The documented reason for the closures is that the stations were operating with no licenses. In actual fact, IFJ reports that the licenses of these two stations were expired but they had submitted their re-applications to the MKK prior to the deadline, in accordance with legal requirements. Therefore the MKK is itself in violation for not answering the stations’ applications for re-registration.
Another five of Uzbekistan’s non-governmental stations continue to air despite the fact that their registrations have expired. So far, the Uzbek government has not moved to close these stations, but IFJ has received information that all stations which participate in Internews training, news exchange programs, and other projects will be targeted.
Ironically, these stations were being closed just when Uzbek President Islam Karimov was in Turkey signing the Istanbul Summit Declaration, of which Article 27 states, “We commit ourselves to ensuring the freedom of the media as a basic condition for pluralistic and democratic societies.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing concern that the closure of these two stations is a case of political discrimination and bureaucratic obstruction
– urging them to re-register the television stations ALC in Urgench, and Aloka A.K. in Gulistan
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Khamidullo Karamatov
Vice Prime Minister and Chair of the Interagency Coordination Commission
Fax: + 998 71 139 81 21
Azam Ziyoev
Press Secretary to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: + 998 71 139 56 35
Utkir Hashimov
Chair of the Committee of Press and Information of the Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 139 86 95
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
