The former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan is notorious for its use of forced labour and even child labour. Citizens who attempt to document and expose this are arrested and sometimes tortured.
One of those brave citizens is Uktam Pardaev, a human rights activist from Jizzakh and member of an independent cotton harvest monitoring group
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Uktam was arrested 6 months ago. He was held for eight weeks in pre-trial detention in a damp, cold cell with only a dirty mat to sleep on, and little food. He witnessed the torturing and mistreating of detainees in order to coerce confessions. And he was pressured to confess and beaten severely on one occasion.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International demanded Uktam's release. On 11 January 2016, he was sentenced to three years' probation. This means that he is under constant surveillance by security services, which also heavily restrict his movements and activities. Officials also continue to harass his relatives and friends, who have been watched, questioned and threatened.
Please take a moment to tell the Uzbek authorities to immediately quash the conviction against Uktam Pardaev. Demand that they conduct a prompt, independent, effective, and impartial investigation into his credible allegations of ill-treatment by prison officials. The Uzbek government must allow independent journalists, human rights defenders, and other individuals and organizations to document and report human rights concerns without fear of reprisals and in accordance with international law.
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Thank you!
Eric Lee |
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