Uzbeks Hold Demonstrations Over Andijon

Uzbek exiles protest outside UN headquarters on May 12 (RFE/RL) PRAGUE, May 12, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Demonstrators today are commemorating the violent crackdown on a protest in Andijon, Uzbekistan, a day before the one-year anniversary of the event.
In the Uzbek capital Tashkent, plainclothes police broke up a small demonstration held by activists demanding an independent probe into the bloodshed. Police tore down banners declaring "Shame on Uzbekistan, Shame on [President] Islam Karimov."

In New York, the Congress of Democratic Uzbekistan, a group uniting Uzbek opposition members, protested outside UN headquarters.

Uzbek refugees and opposition members gathered outside their country's embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, while members of the Uzbek opposition party Erk (Freedom) organized a rally in Istanbul.

The Uzbek government blames Islamic militants for instigating the violence in Andijon. But human rights groups and witnesses say the crackdown was a massacre, with many unarmed civilians were among the dead.

Andijon Refugees

Andijon Refugees

Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan on May 19, 2005 (epa)

NO PLACE TO GO: More than 400 Uzbeks who fled in panic in the hours and days after troops opened fire on demonstrators in Andijon one year ago have been granted political asylum outside Central Asia. In limbo for weeks in Kyrgyzstan as they and the world tried to come to grips with the bloody events of May 12 and 13, they feared for their lives and the lives of family members as the official crackdown continued.... (more)


RELATED ARTICLES

Andijon Refugees In Romania Have Escaped Violence, But Not Heartache

Refugees In Romania Await Decision On Destination

Refugees Want To Return Only If Regime Changes


THE COMPLETE STORY: 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

For an annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions, click here.