09/14/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10128

UZBEK HUMAN RIGHTS

Recently, the Uzbek government has taken steps to improve its poor human rights record. They include registering the Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan and issuing an invitation to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. The Uzbek courts have also handed down long prison sentences for those law enforcement officials who were found guilty of torturing prisoners to death.

In spite of these improvements, much more remains to be done to protect the rights of the Uzbek people, especially prisoners. The recent deaths in Jaslyk [jas-lick] prison of Mirzakomil [meer-zah-KO-mil] Avazov [ah-VAH-zov] and Khusniddin [hus-nah-DEEN] Olimov [oh-LEE-mov] are particularly troubling. Both men were apparently tortured to death while in custody. The government of Uzbekistan has said the deaths were the result of a fight among prisoners.

Mr. Avazov had been sentenced in 1999 to sixteen years in prison on charges of spreading religious extremist materials. Mr. Olimov was sentenced to twenty years in prison for his membership in the banned Islamic extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir [hizb-ut tah-REER]. Both men were incarcerated in Jaslyk prison, well-known for its harsh conditions and torture of religious prisoners. Mr. Avazov’s body reportedly showed signs that he had been tortured.

The Uzbek government claims to have investigated the deaths of Avazov and Olimov. But the U.S. and the European Union believe the Uzbek government has not done enough. President Islam Karimov should order a timely and credible investigation into these deaths. Public trials should be held for any individual accused of being criminally responsible for the death or mistreatment of prisoners.

The Uzbek government has taken some steps toward improving its human rights record. But it needs to go further and institutionalize respect for fundamental human rights, including the humane treatment of prisoners.