Clear evidence of the constant harassment of the Uzbek authorities’ against human rights defenders. DI calls for his immediate release as his detention is arbitrary as it seems to aim at merely sanctioning his human rights activities.
Defend International
in collaboration with
The Observatory:
the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH, Paris, France) and the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT, Geneva, Switzerland) aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
Campaign Status: Closed
Name: Sobir Tulaganov
Sex: Male
Authorities: Uzbekistan
Category: Harassment / Judicial proceedings / incommunicado detention
The case:
Defend International has been informed by the Observatory about the incommunicado detention of Mr. Sobir Tulaganov, the Director of the Tashkent branch of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU).
“According to information received, on September 19, 2007, Mr. Tulaganov went to the Criminal Court of the Yuzunabad District in order to be granted access to the case of slander that was filed against him by Ms. Feruza Sokatbaeva on April 13, 2007, on the basis of Article 139 of the Uzbek Criminal Code. However, not only was he denied access to the case, but he was also arrested in the premises of the tribunal on the basis of a decision of the judge, who decided to turn the compulsory order of residence by which he has been bound in 2007, in the framework of the judicial proceedings against him, into imprisonment. Since then, Mr. Tulaganov has been held incommunicado. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Ms. Sokatbaeva lodged her complaint on the basis of an article published by Mr. Tulaganov in a local newspaper, criticizing the Uzbek maternity hospitals, after the latter recently discovered that his daughter and that of Ms. Sokatbaeva had been inter-changed by mistake by the personnel of the hospital a few days after their birth, more than fifteen years ago.
Since the complaint was lodged before the Criminal Court of Yuzunabad on April 13, a series of procedural irregularities have taken place. First of all, the Observatory notes that Mr. Tulaganov was only notified of the existence of the complaint on July 26, 2007 (71 days after the enquiry procedure was opened, on May 16) and could therefore not introduce all the elements he wanted to rely upon for his defence within the “90 days of enquiry” provided by law. On July 27, 2007, Mr. Tulaganov was subjected to an interrogation by Mr. Almatov, the Senior enquiry officer of the department of internal affairs of the Yunuzabad district. He subsequently lodged a complaint to the Prosecutor of the city of Tashkent, Mr. Valiev, in order to protest against the procedural irregularities he has been confronted to. However, he has received no answer so far.
On August 17, 2007, Mr. Almatov declared that the enquiry procedure that was opened on May 16, 2007 was closed, whereas he had no mandate to close it.”
DI Demands:
Defend International considers Tulaganov’s arrest to be arbitrary. His detention may only aim at sanctioning his human rights activities. In view of these facts, the Uzbek Government is in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which it is party.
The ICCPR states:
Article 9.1: Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.
Furthermore, as Mr. Tulaganov’s whereabouts remain unknown until now, the Uzbek Government is in breach of Article 9.3 of the ICCPR, which requires that:
Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release.
Defend International urges the Uzbek authorities to release Mr. Tulaganov immediately and unconditionally and to make immediate arrangements for him to get access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family and any medical treatment he needs.
DI campaign:
Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.
With thanks and appreciation
Defend International
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His Excellency Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov
President of Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistanskaya 43
Rezidentsia prezidenta
700163 Tashkent
Republic of Uzbekistan
Fax: +998 71 133 1395325,
E-mail: presidents_office@press-service.uz
Your Excellency,
I am writing you to express our deep concern at the administrative detention of human rights defender Mr. Sobir Tulaganov and the circumstances surrounding his detention. He was reportedly detained on September 19, 2007 in Criminal Court of the Yuzunabad District, and is now held at an unknown location.
I am very concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Tulaganov.
I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally as his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to aim at merely sanctioning his human rights activities.
Furthermore I urge you to take all necessary measures to put an end to all acts of harassment and threats against Mr. Tulaganov as well as against all human rights defenders in the country.
I call on you to ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Uzbekistan.
I would like to remind the authorities that Mr. Tulaganov must be given immediate access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family and any medical treatment he may require.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
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His Excellency Mr. Elyor Majidovich Ganiev
Minister of Foreign Affairs
700029 g. Tashkent
- Mustakillik, 5
Ministerstvo inostrannykh del RU, S.S.
Uzbekistan
Fax: + 998 71 139 15 17
E-mail: rnews@mfa.uz
Your Excellency,
I am writing you to express our deep concern at the administrative detention of human rights defender Mr. Sobir Tulaganov and the circumstances surrounding his detention. He was reportedly detained on September 19, 2007 in Criminal Court of the Yuzunabad District, and is now held at an unknown location.
I am very concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Tulaganov.
I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally as his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to aim at merely sanctioning his human rights activities.
Furthermore I urge you to take all necessary measures to put an end to all acts of harassment and threats against Mr. Tulaganov as well as against all human rights defenders in the country.
I call on you to ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Uzbekistan.
I would like to remind the authorities that Mr. Tulaganov must be given immediate access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family and any medical treatment he may require.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
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Ms Sayora Rashidova
Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights,
- Xalqlar Dostligi 1,
700035 Tashkent,
Republic of Uzbekistan,
Fax: +998 71 139 85 55,
E-mail: office@ombudsman.gov.uz
Dear commissioner,
I am writing you to express our deep concern at the administrative detention of human rights defender Mr. Sobir Tulaganov and the circumstances surrounding his detention. He was reportedly detained on September 19, 2007 in Criminal Court of the Yuzunabad District, and is now held at an unknown location.
I am very concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Tulaganov.
I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally as his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to aim at merely sanctioning his human rights activities.
Furthermore I urge you to take all necessary measures to put an end to all acts of harassment and threats against Mr. Tulaganov as well as against all human rights defenders in the country.
I call on you to ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Uzbekistan.
I would like to remind the authorities that Mr. Tulaganov must be given immediate access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family and any medical treatment he may require.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,