Human Rights Defenders in Uzbekistan

On May 13, 2005, violence broke out in Andizhan, Uzbekistan. President Islam Karimov and other official sources claim that the army responded with gunfire to a gathering of terrorists and extremists, and that 169 “bandits” were killed. The government controls all media output in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, independent sources – including eyewitnesses – report that gunfire from helicopters, tanks, and soldiers on foot was directed at hundreds of unarmed civilians gathered to peacefully protest arbitrary arrests, political repression, and economic conditions in Uzbekistan. Some estimate that the death toll could be as high as 750 men, women and children. Eyewitnesses have also reported that after crowds dispersed, soldiers walked around shooting any injured people who remained in the square point blank in the head. Local schools were reportedly turned into impromptu morgues and were stacked with corpses, which were then removed and destroyed, leaving little trace of the victims.

The United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have asked the government of Uzbekistan to allow an independent, international investigation into the incident. President Karimov has refused to allow such an investigation and has the support of the Russian and Chinese governments in doing so.

Immediately after the events, Uzbek authorities began arresting independent human rights defenders.  Dozens have been convicted for speaking out about the violence and the ensuing crackdown.  In prison, they continue to endure torture and other forms of cruel and inhuman treatment, including forcible psychiatric treatment.
 
While the Uzbek government has long sought to silence human rights defenders, the situation has become significantly more dangerous for critics of the government since the Andizhan massacre. In addition to the rise in persecution of local defenders, the government has forced many foreign organizations operating in Uzbekistan to close down entirely, putting an abrupt end to critical sources of support and protection for local defenders.