Free Uzbek Rights Defender Ruslan Sharipov
Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/campaigns/uzbekistan/sharipov.htm
On August 13, 2003, an Uzbek court sentenced Ruslan
Sharipov—an independent human rights activist and journalist—to five and a
half years in prison. Sharipov had been a fearless critic of police corruption
and human rights abuses in Uzbekistan.
In its persecution of Sharipov, Uzbekistan used an
antiquated Soviet-era law against homosexual conduct—a law which endangers
the freedom of all gay men in the country. Human Rights Watch calls for
Sharipov’s release, and for the repeal of such “sodomy laws” wherever
they are still on the books.
Police arrested Sharipov on May 26 and charged him under
Article 120 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which punishes
“besakalbazlyk” (homosexual conduct, defined as “consensual satisfaction
of the sexual needs of one man with another man”) with up to three years in
prison. After taking him into custody, police also charged Sharipov under
Article 127 (involving minors in “antisocial behavior”) and Article 128
(having sexual relations with minors).
Until August 8, Sharipov had denied the charges and
declared that they were fabricated in an attempt to silence him and put a stop
to his human rights work. That day, he read a written statement in court
waiving his right to counsel, declaring his intention to plead guilty on all
charges, and asking that the only outside observer to the proceedings—his
mother—be dismissed from the courtroom.
Sharipov further offered to publicly beg for the
forgiveness of President Karimov, the Minister of the Interior, and local
police, and retracted all articles critical of the government that he had
written from 2001 to 2003.
Human Rights Watch fears that Sharipov’s August 8
statements were coerced and is deeply concerned that he faces continued threat
of physical and psychological abuse while in custody.
Human Rights Watch urges the government of Uzbekistan to
release Sharipov immediately, pending an impartial, independent review of the
charges against him. We condemn his imprisonment as an effort to suppress free
speech in Uzbekistan and as blatant discrimination and persecution based on
sexual orientation. It is a further blow to civic freedoms and the integrity
of private life in Uzbekistan.
What You Can Do
Write to the following authorities. Remind them that Article 120 of the Uzbek
Criminal Code violates the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, which Uzbekistan has ratified. Express concern that the
charges against Ruslan Sharipov are in retaliation for his criticism of the
government. Remind the government that he is at risk of torture, and urge his
immediate release pending an impartial investigation of the case. You can also
sign on to this
petition calling for the repeal of Article 120.
Uzbek Officials
President Islam Abduganievich Karimov
Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Rezidentsia prezidenta / The Presidential Palace
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 139 53 25
Email: presidents_office@press-service.uz
Rashidjon Hamidovich Kodirov
Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan
ul. Yahyo Gulomov 66
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: + 998 71 133 39 17/ 133 73 68
Email: prokuratura@lawyer.com
Zakirjon Almatovich Almatov
Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Ministry of Internal Affairs
ul. Novruz 1
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: + 998 71 133 89 34
Sodyk Safaev
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ul. Uzbekistanskaya 9
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 139 15 17 / 139 37 54/ 139 41 58
Email: uzinfo@uzinfo.gov.uz
Sayora Rashidova
Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombusdman)
Parliamentary Commission for Human Rights
ul. Xalqlar Do’stligi 1
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: + 998 71 139 85 55
Email: office@ombudsman.gov.uz
Akmal Saidov
Head of the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan
National Human Rights Center
ul. Mustakillik 5/3
Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 139 13 56
Email: saidov@hr.uz
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