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Appendix IV. Letter to Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan

Unofficial translation from the Russian by Human Rights Watch

July 20, 2007

Mr. Rashitjon Kodirov
Prosecutor General
Office of the Prosecutor General
66 Yakhyo Gulomova St.
Tashkent 700000
The Republic of Uzbekistan

Via facsimile: +998.71.133.20.66

Dear Mr. Kodirov,

I am writing to seek information about the government’s response to allegations of ill-treatment, including torture in police lock ups, pre-trial detention facilities and prisons in Uzbekistan. Human Rights Watch is currently gathering information about this issue for a report we plan for autumn 2007. In the interests of objectivity, we would like to ensure our report properly reflects the government’s views, information, polices and practices regarding ill-treatment, including torture. We would therefore be most grateful for replies to a number of questions outlined below. Because the report will be published in November 2007, we hope to receive an answer by September 1. If we receive your comments by then, we will certainly reflect them in our publication.

We are familiar with the Uzbek government’s report “Information on implementation of recommendations of UN Special Rapporteur on Torture” delivered by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the OSCE on October 16, 2006 and with the “Third Periodic Report” submitted by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Committee Against Torture on July 1, 2005. Based on the information provided in these reports and the often contradictory information Human Rights Watch’s representative office in Tashkent gathered at trials and during numerous interviews with torture victims and their relatives as well as with lawyers we have the following questions:

  • How many complaints specifically of torture and ill-treatment did all relevant authorities receive in 2002 and in each of the following years?

  • Against whom were the allegations made?

  • What are the specifics of the allegations?

  • How many full investigations-as opposed to preliminary inquiries-- have the authorities commenced in response to the complaints and allegations?

  • How many allegations resulted in prosecutions for torture, ill-treatment and/or assault?

  • How many prosecutions led to convictions and what were the sentences imposed?

  • What and how many other disciplinary measures were taken in addition to prosecutions?

  • How many victims received compensation for torture or ill-treatment and what was the level of compensation?

  • Does the prosecutor general have a system for tracking allegations of torture and other ill-treatment that are made at trial? If so, could you kindly describe that system? 

  • How many defendants alleged at trial that they had been tortured or ill-treated in 2002 and in each of the following years?

  • How many investigations into such allegations made at trial were conducted in 2002 and in each of the following years, and what were the outcomes of such investigations?

  • What safeguards are in place, if any, to ensure the unhindered access of lawyers to their clients in pre-trial detention and prison and to guarantee meetings in privacy?

  • A response can be sent to me, in Uzbek, Russian, or English, either by fax, at 212.736.1300 or by email at cartneh@hrw.org. I would also be happy to meet with the Uzbek ambassador to the United States to discuss these questions.

    I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

    Sincerely,

    Holly Cartner

    Europe and Central Asia Director
    Human Rights Watch