Uzbekistan: The children are forced to pick the cotton again. The authorities keep hiding this fact (photo)
On September 19, 2010 Tashkent-based human rights advocate Elena Urlaeva was detained by police while she was taking picture of the children, forced to pick the cotton. The incident took place in Yukori-Chirchik district of the Tashkent Oblast where students of secondary schools (41 schools in the district) and colleges have not been attending the classes since September 14; instead they have been performing their mandatory labor service at the cotton fields from 8am to 5pm.
Elena Urlaeva and children, picking the cotton
“Children also work on Sundays. Even little kids are involved in this process – says Elena Urlaeva. – All academic institutions in this district are closed; teachers and students are sent to the fields. On September 17, 2010 one of the teachers got sick at the cotton field; after seeing the doctor, she resumed picking the cotton. The government prohibited the teachers and children see the doctors during the cotton campaign.
I took pictures at the Uzbekistan field, attached to school #34. The school principal (Anna) immediately called the special services. I learned from the cotton pickers that every field is protected by the guards (representatives of khokimiyat, public prosecutor’s office and police). Kids and teachers are prohibited to share about this forced labor. I managed to show the book on “Human rights and you” to the kids and school principal but she immediately called the special services.
The security officers were trying to take away my camera and demanded to delete all photos. I was taken to the local police department for interrogation. I had to write the explanatory statement. The police officers deleted the pictures from my cell phone. At about 5pm I was not feeling well. I was nervous because my little son was home alone. The police officers called ambulance. At about 5.30pm I was taken home”.
Police officers did not know that it is possible to reproduce the deleted pictures. Ferghana.Ru presents the pictures, taken by Elena Urlaeva and the student of school #34.
Children at the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. September, 2010. Photo © Elena Urlaeva
Children at the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. September, 2010. Photo © Elena Urlaeva
Children at the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. September, 2010. Photo © Elena Urlaeva
Children at the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. September, 2010. Photo © Elena Urlaeva
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