EU Expresses Alarm Over Uzbek Dissidents

Sanjar Umarov (file photo) (RFE/RL) Brussels, 8 November 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The EU's British Presidency issued a statement today expressing "alarm" at the Uzbek authorities' treatment of a number of political activists who have questioned the official version of events in Andijon last May.

The statement was released on behalf of all 25 EU foreign ministers who met in Brussels yesterday.


It says the European Union is concerned at reports of the "unacceptable conditions" in which Uzbek authorities are detaining Sanjar Umarov, leader of the Sunshine Coalition, and demands an independent assessment of his condition.


The EU says it is also concerned at the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Mukhtabar Tojibaeva and Saidjahon Zainabitdinov and seeks assurances they are unharmed.


The statement recalls previous EU expressions of concern at the circumstances in which Dilshod Khajiev, Tavakkal Khajiev, Hasan Shakirov, and Mukhammad Qodirov were returned to Uzbekistan despite being recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.


Today's statement welcomes the release of Yelena Urlaeva from psychiatric detention late last month.

Aftermath Of Andijon

Aftermath Of Andijon


A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.


CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions.