Our Affiliates
 
 
RFE/RL Radio
 
 
 

RFE/RL Iran Coverage Cited Around the World 

RFE/RL's coverage of the post-election crisis in Iran has been cited by a variety of media outlets around the world. More
 
 
More Articles
 
 
 
 
 

Watchdog

Uzbek Justice Ministry Admits Human Rights Violations

September 22, 2008
In an unusual move, the Uzbek Justice Ministry has admitted publicly that in some instances officials have violated the rights of citizens and that some defendants were mistakenly sentenced to long prison terms. The ministry did not mention specific cases.

The ministry says it is taking measures to punish those who broke the law or violated the public trust.

The ministry's rare self-critical statement was made following the findings of a presidential monitoring group that has been investigating reports of unfair trials and human rights violations in the country.

Rights groups, however, consider the findings of the monitoring group to be "another show" for external consumption ahead of a European Union review of its currently suspended visa ban and arms embargo against Uzbekistan.

The visa ban and arms embargo were originally instituted in the wake of the bloody government crackdown against protesters in the eastern city of Andijon in May 2005.

The EU review is due to take place in October.

(by Sojida Djakhfarova, director of RFE/RL's Uzbek Service)
 
 
Would you like to post to this forum?
Name *
Location
E-mail
Comment *
Disclaimer
Reader comments in no way reflect the views or opinions of RFE/RL correspondents, contributors, or staff.
Before you post a comment, please read the forum rules
 
Are you human? Please enter the numbers below:
 
  Send  
 
 
 
Comments 0 (of 0)
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one
Comments 0 (of 0)
TEXT SIZE
About This Blog
"Watchdog" is a blog with a singular mission -- to monitor the latest developments concerning human rights, civil society, and press freedom. We'll pay particular attention to reports concerning countries in RFE/RL's broadcast region.
 
 
 
 
Write To Us
If you have a story idea or news tip for "Watchdog," we'd like to hear from you.

E-mail your contribution to watchdog@rferl.org
 
 
Journalists In Trouble

RFE/RL journalists take risks, face threats, and make sacrifices every day in an effort to gather the news. Our new "Journalists In Trouble" web page recognizes their courage and conviction, and documents the high price that many have paid simply for doing their jobs. More

 
 

Products and services: