Tashkent, 28 November 1996 (RFE/RL) - A leading opposition figure in Uzbekistan, Shukhrullo Mirsaidov, has been ordered evicted from his home. And 19 members of Mirsaidov's family have also been ordered to leave their homes in Tashkent by today or face "forcible" eviction.
The rights monitoring group, Human Rights Watch/Helsinki, first provided information on Mirsaidov's case, which has been confirmed by RFE/RL's Tashkent bureau.
The rights monitoring group has raised legal questions about the case, and notes what it calls a long history of government attacks on Mirsaidov. The group says Uzbek courts disregarded fundamental legal principles in rulings on the evictions of Mirsaidov and his family.
Mirsaidov is a former vice president of Uzbekistan. After a dispute with President Islam Karimov in 1993, reports say Mirsaidov and his family have been constantly harassed. This month, Mirsaidov's son was kidnapped and was beaten before being released. Shortly before the kidnapping, Uzbekistan's government renewed efforts legally to deport Mirsaidov's family.
Human Rights Watch/Helsinki is a non-governmental organization established in 1978 to monitor and promote the observance of human rights. It is based in New York City and maintains an office in Tashkent.