Abdujalil Boymatov’s report speech in the 3rd abroad convention of the HRSU (Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan)

 

Dear participants!

In July, 2011 2nd abroad convention of our organization took place. There were some changes in the condition of human rights in Uzbekistan in a period between 2nd and 3rd conventions. Members of our organization monitored these changes. I will speak shortly about these changes.

I. Changes that took place in our organization:
1. Following members of HRSU have been released from prison for the last two years: Norboy Holjigitov (October 14, 2011), Jamshid Karimov (November 2, 2011). Two months after his release from mental hospital, Jamshid Karimov, independent journalist and nephew of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, disappeared – does not answer to phone calls, his phone is switched off. This news was disseminated in January 18, 2012. There were no further information about Jamshid Karimov’s fate. Alisher Karamatov (April 12, 2012) Habibullo Oqpulatov (July 12, 2012), Shahlo Rahmonova (2012).

2. Eight our members are still in prison:
a) A’zam Farmonov, chairman of HRSU Sirdarya department, in prison since 2006, was sentenced to 9 years with false charges;
b) Nasim Isakov, HRSU Jizzakh branch member, was arrested in 2005, sentenced to 8 years in 2006 with false charges;
c) Yo’ldosh Rasulov, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, in 2007 was sentenced to 10 years with false charges;
d) Zafar Rakhimov, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, in 2007 was sentenced to 6 years with false charges;
e) G’aybullo Jalilov, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, for the first time in 2010 was sentenced to 9 years with false charges, later, 2 years were added;
f) Mekhriniso Khamdamova, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, in 2010 was sentenced to 7 years with false charges;
g) Zulkhumor Khamdamova, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, in 2010 was sentenced to 6.5 years with false charges;
h) Choyan Mamatkulov, HRSU Kashkadarya branch member, was arrested in 2012, in 2013 was sentenced to 10 years with false charges.

Nowadays, our organization is operating in three regions of Uzbekistan:
1. Kashkadarya region: Gulshen Qoraeva, Nodir Ahatov, Nurali Ko’lobov, and others;
2. Namangan region: Nosir Zokir, Zokhidjon Zokirov, and others;
3. Andijan region: Gulbahor Turaeva and others.
In Jizzakh region a chairman of the regional branch of the organization has not been elected yet. In Samarkand region Mamatqul Muhtarov, in Tashkent region Kholho’ja Yunusov is acting in the capacity of a chairman. However, for they could not establish the usage of modern communication systems properly, there is almost no exchange of information.

I must assert that before the events of Andijan in 2005 our organization operated in 11 regions of Uzbekistan, even in remote villages of Jizzakh region we had branches. Only in Navoi region we had no branch. During the 20 years of its functioning 33 members of our organization were sentenced with false charges and imprisoned (10 members before Andijan events and 23 after them). Shovruq Ro’zimurodov, chairman of Kashkadarya branch, was tortured to death in the dungeon of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2001. 18 members left Uzbekistan after the Andijan events of 2005.

II. Condition of human rights in Uzbekistan. Monitoring:
1. Tortures. Tormenting and inhuman treatment is still in widespread usage during inquest and in prison camps. According to the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan torturing is considered as crime, however, those involved in tormenting detainees have not been punished yet. Only in few occasions we hear or read about situations through mass media when there were filed suits against torturers, and punished. Activists as Gulshan Qoraeva, Nodir Ahatov, and Zokhidjon Zokirov are monitoring tortures.

2. Child labour, forced labour. Child and forced labour is still widely used in Uzbekistan. Only in 2012 usage of child labour reduced dramatically. However, instead of school children workers of government and private organizations – doctors, teachers, and students are being implicated in forced labour. Gulshan Qoraeva, Nodir Ahatov, and Zokhidjon Zokirov are conducting monitoring in this direction.

3. Freedom. In Uzbekistan such basic freedoms as freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are restricted. Gulshan Qoraeva, Nodir Ahatov, Zokhidjon Zokirov, Gulbahor To’raboeva, and Abdujalil Boymatov are conducting monitoring in this direction.

4. Social rights. It is becoming difficult year by year to get a qualitative medical service and education in Uzbekistan. Main reasons: impoverishment of certain parts of the population (about 30 %), bribery, corruption, and low wages for doctors and teachers. Situation with the shortage of natural gas, electricity, and drinking water has become tenser for the last years. Gulshan Qoraeva, Nodir Ahatov, Zokhidjon Zokirov, Gulbahor To’raboeva, and Nosir Zokir are conducting monitoring in this direction.

To conclude, financial support is needed to run the organization’s web site and for members to work actively. Difficult political, financial, and social conditions under which the members of our organization are working requires the development of effective tactics and strategies. Let us exchange opinions on these issues.

Thank you for your attention!