VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2570 2961836
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221832Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 4727

UNCLAS STATE 112570 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE UZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL:  STATEMENT ON UZBEK 
JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER 
 
REF: STATE 112223 
 
 ¶1.   This cable transmits a correction to reftel text. 
 
 Post is authorized to make the following statement at the 
October 23, 2008, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in 
Vienna: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
Mr. Chairman, 
 
The United States would like to take this opportunity to note 
advances in Uzbekistan on religious freedom and human rights, 
and to follow-up on a few cases of concern. We commend the 
Government of Uzbekistan,s decision in late September to 
drop religious extremism charges against Protestant Aimurat 
Khayburahmanov in Karakalpakstan, and to release from custody 
in mid-October human rights activists Dilmurd Mukhiddinov and 
Mamarajab Nazarov.  These cases are important examples of how 
the Uzbek government is continuing to make progress on 
meeting its OSCE commitments 
 
Nevertheless, the United States shares the concern of the 
Representative of Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti about 
the sentencing by authorities in Karakalpakstan on October 
10th of journalist Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov to ten years' 
imprisonment on drug charges. The facts surrounding Mr. 
Abdurakhmanov,s arrest and trial suggest that he may have 
been targeted by local authorities for prosecution as a 
result of his journalism. The timing of this sentencing was 
especially disappointing, as it followed on the heels of an 
EU-sponsored conference in Tashkent on media freedom. 
 
The United States is also concerned about the continuing 
trial in Karakalpakstan of human rights activist Akzam 
Turgunov on extortion charges. We are disturbed by reports 
that a police officer poured boiling water on Mr. Turgunov's 
back during his pre-trial detention. We understand that a 
court investigation dismissed these allegations, but we have 
received credible reports to the contrary. 
 
The United States believes these cases warrant further review 
by the Government of Uzbekistan, and we urge Uzbek 
authorities to consider releasing Mr. Abdurakhmanov and Mr. 
Turgunov in line with Uzbekistan,s international commitments 
on human rights and fundamental freedoms. 
 
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
RICE