The case of the 30 refugees arrested in Almaty…

From a group of Uzbek civil activists September 17, 2010
Our Call:
STOP THE EXTRADITION OF REFUGEES FROM KAZAKHSTAN TO UZBEKISTAN!
P U B L I C A P P E A L
To: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture,
The European Union
U.S. Department of State
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights
Diplomatic missions of Western countries in Kazakhstan
Diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan abroad
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International
The media
People of goodwill
We are witnessing in Uzbekistan:
Continued practice of torture, extrajudicial killings and executions, enforced
disappearances, fabrication of criminal charges against dissidents!
Summary of the appeal:
We, activists of civil society of Uzbekistan urge all people of goodwill to support the call:
“Stop the Extradition of Refugees from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan!”. The case of the 30
refugees arrested in Almaty (Kazakhstan), shows how international institution for
protection of refugees – the UNHCR retreats systematically from its primary duty of
protecting the rights of refugees who are persecuted because of their beliefs.
In this situation, Kazakhstan has shown by adopting a new national law “On refugees”
(from 04.12.2009, ? 216-4) how it is possible for a state to limit rapidly and massively
rights and freedoms of people.
Would the international community endorse state of impunity for the Kazakh
government or will the democratic world defend the values of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights?
Ladies and gentlemen! From 9 to 11 June 2010 in Almaty (Kazakhstan), the
authorities arrested 45 refugees under the pretext of identifying persons staying illegally
in the country.
As it became clear later the target of the operation were people, whom
Uzbekistan declared in a wanted list as people “involved in illegal organizations”.
Kazakhstan also began to persecute them on religious grounds.
Currently 28 asylum seekers are still in detention centers in Almaty. Office of
the Kazakh Attorney General has decided to extradite 29 refugees to Uzbekistan,
regardless of their nationality. Furthermore, Kazakh Migration Service refused to register
dozens of other refugees from the Central Asian countries, even those whom the
UNHCR has previously recognized as refugees. Given the fact that refugees have often
valid reasons for seeking the international protection without a passport, this category
of refugees cannot now go to court. They also have become victims of the new
immigration rules and at any time may be extradited to Uzbekistan.
From 11 to 27 August 2010, Kazakh Republican Central Committee for
Determination of Refugee Status reviewed the case of these refugees and denied
twenty-nine of them the status. However it was only 7 September when they learned
about the decision from their relatives via phone. We believe that the Commission’s
decision is politically motivated.
On September 13 deputy prosecutor of Almaty T. Aubakirov told the public
that the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan decided for favor of extradition of
the 29 refugees. This can be confirmed by the fact that a “mandate refugee” Kamilov
Khurshid, citizen of Kyrgyzstan was already extradited to Uzbekistan at the request of
the Uzbek Prosecutor General on 8 September.
There has been, at least, one case of human death resulting from
extradition to Uzbekistan in the past. In 2007, law enforcement bodies of Uzbekistan
declared in wanted list a Kyrgyz citizen Nozim Mamadaliev. Later he was arrested by
the decision of the prosecutor’s office in Ferghana (Uzbekistan) and detained in city
police department of Ferghana. A few days later he died in custody and his body was
released. There were clearly visible signs of torture on his body. In November 2005,
Kazakhstan extradited to Uzbekistan 10 refugees who were then tortured and
sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
Kazakhstan’s decision to extradite to Uzbekistan the 29 refugees is nothing
other than ignoring gross human rights violations by the Uzbek authorities. In Uzbekistan
numerous cases of deaths in custody have been documented. Moreover, the use of
torture in order to extract false confession is commonly practiced. The right of freedom
of expression, freedom of thought and freedom of conscience is constantly violated.
Therefore, more and more people are leaving Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan, while passing legislation on refugees, apparently did not take
into account the political responsibility for unconditional fulfillment of international
obligations.
Kazakhstan, the Acting Chairman of OSCE 2010, is defiantly failing to fulfill its
international obligations as defined in:
– UN Convention on the Status of Refugees, 1951 (Article 33);
– UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment (Article 3);
– International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Articles 7, 18, 19, 22).
We, the undersigned, urge:
– The government of Kazakhstan to reverse the decision (of not to grant asylum to the
refugees), which is very likely to result in irreparable damage to the arrested refugees
who are under threat of extradition to Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan as a signatory to the
Refugee Convention, the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights is obliged to release the asylum seekers, to allow them
remain in its territory or, alternatively, to help them resettle in a third country where they
would be safe.
– The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the EU, the U.S. administration, the
OSCE and all other above addressed organizations to share with us the concern for the
fate of the 29 asylum seekers who were arrested in Almaty and to show appropriate
stand against irregularities and unlawful acts committed by Kazakhstan against the
refugees. We also urge you to convince the Government of Kazakhstan to fulfill its
previously taken international obligations and to prevent the extradition of 28 refugees
to Uzbekistan.
– International human rights organizations and the media to pay attention to the fact
that the UNHCR mission in Kazakhstan, retreating from its primary task – to protect the
refugees.
– People of goodwill to sign this petition, to re-send this petition by e-mail and fax to
the President of Kazakhstan and the Government of Kazakhstan, as well as all
international organizations and embassies in this country. We also ask you to appeal to
various international institutions on this issue, to hold pickets outside the Embassy of
Kazakhstan worldwide, to ask other people to join the petition and exert pressure on the
government of Kazakhstan to ensure the rights of the asylum seekers and further their
release from custody.
Sincerely,
1. Yodgor Obid, poet, member of International PEN, Austria
2. Surat Ikramov, chairman of the Initiative Group of Independent Human Rights
Defenders of Uzbekistan
3. Talib Yakubov, the vice-president of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, France
4. Mutabar Tajibayeva, head of the Human Rights Club “Flaming Heart”, France
5. Abdujalil Boymatov, Chairman of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, Ireland.
6. Muhammad Salih, the leader of the Uzbek opposition party ERK
7. Nurilla Maksudov, chairman of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish
(Andijan – Justice and Revival), Germany
8. Ismail Dadajonov, chairman of the Democratic Forum of Uzbekistan, Sweden
9. Nadejda Ataeva, president of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia,
France
10. Kamoliddin Rabbimov, an independent political scientist and analyst, France
11. Mirzobedil Jabborov, vice-chairman of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish”, USA
12. Islomiddin Dolimov, vice-chairman of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish”, USA
13. Jahongir Usmanov, vice-chairman of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish, Sweden
14. Bakhtiyor Mukhtarov, vice-chairman of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va
Tiklanish”, Finland
15. Abdusalom Karimov, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish”,
Czech Republic
16. Sabirov Ulugbek, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish”, USA
17. Omonullo Maksudov, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va Tiklanish, Germany
18. Mirzakosimov Abdukamol, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va
Tiklanish”, Holland
19. Rafukjon Hudayberdiev, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va
Tiklanish”, Denmark
20. Toychiboy Hojanazarov, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va
Tiklanish”, Czech Republic
21. Shamsuddin Atamatov, a member of the Organization “Andijon – Adolat va
Tiklanish”, Sweden
22. Ahmad Iyso, the representative of the Initiative Group of Uzbek Diaspora in Sweden
(IGUDS)
23. Akmal Khaydarov, chairman of organization “Tayanch”, Canada
24. Abbos Kurbonov, Sweden
25. Abdulfattokh Nazarov, Sweden
26. Abdulkhak Khodjiev, Sweden
27. Abdullatif Abdurakhimov, Sweden
28. Abdulloh Kadirov, United Kingdom
29. Abdulmalik Nazarov, Sweden
30. Abdussabur KHodjiev, Sweden
31. Abduvokhid Yuldoshev, Sweden
32. Ahmad Nadimi, United Kingdom
33. Ahmad Nadiri, United Kingdom
34. Akmaljon Karimov, Sweden
35. Akrom Mamadoliev, Ukraine
36. Ali Zunur, Sweden
37. Alisher Kushatov, Ukraine
38. Amir Magamadov, United Kingdom
39. Asmo Ibrokhim, Sweden
40. Asror Egamberdiev, Sweden
41. Azimov Mahammadjon, United Kingdom
42. Aziz Mannanov, Sweden
43. Azmiddin Nasriddinov, Sweden
44. Bakhtiyar Yakubov, Sweden
45. Bakhtiyor Mullaev, Sweden
46. Bayramali Yusupov, Denmark
47. Bekhzod Sabirov, Sweden
48. Christopher Lee, United Kingdom
49. Daniel Egmberdson, Sweden
50. Davron Makhamatov, USA
51. Dilfuza Inagamboeva, Sweden
52. Dilmurod Turopov, Sweden
53. Dilnoza Toshmukhamedov, Sweden
54. Dovudkhon Nazarov, Sweden
55. Durbek Khudoynazarov, Sweden
56. Egamberdi Rakhmonberdiev, USA
57. Elmurod KHamzaev, USA
58. Fanil Migranov, Sweden
59. Farkhod Kodirov, United Kingdom
60. Farkhod Toshmukhamedov, Sweden
61. Fazilat KHidoyatova, USA
62. Feruza Iskhakova, USA
63. Feruza Makhmudova, USA
64. Fotima Khafizova, Sweden
65. G’aybullah Sattarov, United Kingdom
66. Gulchehra Sattarova, United Kingdom
67. Izzatullokh Dadakhonov, Ukraine
68. Jakhongir Khodjaev, Sweden
69. Jamila Makhmudova, Sweden,
70. Jamshid Shamuratov, USA
71. Jobir Aslonov, USA
72. Kamoliddin Kasimov, Sweden
73. Karl Erikson, United Kingdom
74. Katarina Joseph, United Kingdom
75. KHadicha Juraeva, Sweden
76. KHamdambek Davletov, Sweden
77. KHamid Makhmudov, USA
78. KHasan Temirov, Sweden
79. KHilolakhon Yuldosheva, Sweden
80. KHoshim Khodjiev, Sweden
81. KHurshid Makhmudov, Sweden
82. KHusniya Shanbieva, Sweden
83. Madina Abdurakhimova, United Kingdom
84. Makhdiya Nazarova, Sweden
85. Malika Sodikova, Sweden
86. Mamlakat Nazarova, Sweden
87. Mamurjon Khayitboev, Sweden
88. Maria Ubaydullayeva, United Kingdom
89. Matluba Rakhimkulova, USA
90. Michel McAllen, United Kingdom
91. Minnura Nasridinova, Sweden
92. Mirakhmat Muminov, USA
93. Mukhammad Rafik Nabiev, Sweden
94. Mukhibullokh Khodjiev, Sweden
95. Mukhiddin Inagamboev, Sweden
96. Mukhlisa Azimova, Sweden
97. Mukhsin Abdurabbikh, Sweden
98. Mukimjon Makhmudov, Sweden
99. Mumin Kodirov, USA
100. Munira Shoakhmedova, Sweden
101. Murad Mazaev, Sweden
102. Murod Rakhmatullaev, Sweden
103. Muslima Nazarova, Sweden
104. Muzaffar Abdurakhimov, United Kingdom
105. Nargiza Jalolova, Sweden
106. Nariman Toshkenbayev, United Kingdom
107. Nasiba Shokirova, Sweden
108. Nodira Tallaboeva, Sweden
109. O’lmas Norkobilov, Sweden
110. Obidkhon Nazarov, Sweden
111. Omina Yuldosheva, Sweden
112. Ra`no Nadjimkhodjaeva, Sweden
113. Radik Migranov, Sweden
114. Ravshan Mamarasulov, United Kingdom
115. Raykhon Abdurabbikh, Sweden
116. Roziya Samieva, Sweden
117. Rustam Toshmukhamedov, Sweden
118. Safiya Egmberdson, Sweden
119. Safiya Zunur, Sweden
120. Said Ubaydullayev, United Kingdom
121. Saidakbar Inoyatov, Sweden
122. Sanjar Khushmurodov, Sweden
123. Sevinch Asadova, Sweden
124. Shakhlo Inoyatova, Sweden
125. Shakhlo Shamuratova, USA
126. Shakhnoza Abdurakhimova, United Kingdom
127. Sharafiddin Abdurahmonov, United Kingdom
128. Sherali Rustamov, Sweden
129. Shokhida Kodirova, USA
130. Shokhista Khakimiy, Sweden
131. Shokhista Khodjaeva, Sweden
132. Shorasul Shoakhmedov, Sweden
133. Shukhrat Akhmedov, Sweden
134. Shukhrat Saidov, Sweden
135. Sobir Kurbonov, Sweden
136. Sojida Valieva, Sweden
137. Sokhiba Otakhonova, Sweden
138. Solikh Ibrokhim, Sweden
139. Tolmas Tilovov, Sweden
140. Tursunali Iskhakov, USA
141. Tutiyagul Migranova, Sweden
142. Umida Rakhmonberdieva, USA
143. Umida Yusupova, Sweden
144. Usmon Ali Fakhrutdinov, Sweden
145. Utkir Rakkhimkulov, USA
146. Yusuf Khakimiy, Sweden
147. Zelimkhan Avlagirov, Sweden
148. Zilola Mannapova, Denmark
149. Ziyodjon Shokirov, Sweden
150. Zukhra Djalilova, USA
151. Zukhra Yakubova, Sweden
152. Zulkhumor Khamzaeva, USA
For more information, please contact Ahmad Iyso, the representative of the Initiative
Group of the Uzbek Diaspora in Sweden (IGUDSH)
Tel: +46 7 06 03 48 18; E-mail: igursw@gmail.com