Posted 2012/7/27
Uzbekistan: Murder of human rights defender Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov
Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov (centre)
Human rights activist stabbed to death in Tashkent region. A member of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan (HRAU) and the movement “Birdamlik”, Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov, was killed in the village of Tinchlik in Tashkent region’s Yangiyol district on the evening of 25 July.
According to reports received “Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov was stabbed by bandits,” HRAU leader Elena Urlayeva said by phone after returning from the funeral of her colleague in Tinchlik today.
HRd stabbed in front of witnesses
Urlaeva described details of the murder quoting Mukhitdinov’s relatives. “On Wednesday evening, Mukhitdinov was sitting outside his home in Tinchlik, waiting for his wife and daughter. At about 2100, he was approached by a local called Makhmud, who for some reason invited Mukhitdinov to the village centre.
There, Mukhitdinova was attacked by several men, who beat him. And then they stabbed him with a knife in the liver. Mukhitdinov died on the way to hospital”.
Many residents of Tinchlik witnessed the incident. Police immediately arrested Makhmud, who challenged the human rights activist to a “showdown”.
Mukhitdinov joined the HRAU seven years ago. During the period from 2007 to 2008 he was the head of the Birdamlik people’s movement in Uzbekistan. He had remained an active member of this movement until his last days.
“Despite the fact that Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov was an elderly man who suffered from heart failure, a pulmonary disease, and a cataract on his right eye, he was an active human rights defender,” says Urlayeva. “Mukhitdinov boldly raised environmental issues of his native land, was first to publicise the outbreak of cholera in Yangiyol last year and revealed its causes”.
Akromhodzha Mukhitdinov targeted for exosing child labour Protecting their citizens from the arbitrariness of the authorities, Mukhitdinov was not afraid of taking part in pickets, and even initiated them. He participated in many raids in Uzbekistan aimed at uncovering the use of child labour and other human rights violations for which he was repeatedly beaten by hired thugs and instigators.
Mukhitdinov also, despite his age, constantly engaged in self-education, participated in international training courses on human rights.
“We not only mourn the death of our comrade, but we will also demand the authorities thoroughly investigate the crime and punish the criminal severely,” said Elena Urlayeva.
Source Uznews.net
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/19099
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