UA 390/92 - Uzbekistan: fear of torture / extrajudicial execution: Abdumanob Pulatov
Abdumanob Pulatov, chairman of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan and a member of the opposition Birlik movement, was abducted in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 8 December 1992. His abductors are reported to be officers of the Uzbekistan National Security Service, who have apparently taken him to Uzbekistan. Abdumanob Pulatov has lived in Moscow for the past several months because of harassment by the Uzbek authorities. Shortly before his abduction he reportedly expressed fears that the Uzbek authorities might try to kill him. AI fears that he may be subjected to torture or possibly killed.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: EUR 62/04/92
Distr: UA/SC
UA 390/92 Fear of torture/extrajudicial execution 10 December 1992
UZBEKISTAN: Abdumanob PULATOV, human rights activist
(in cyrillic _________ _______)
Abdumanob Pulatov, a leading human rights activist from the Central Asian
republic of Uzbekistan, was abducted in Bishkek, the capital of the neighbouring
republic of Kyrgyzstan, on 8 December 1992. It is reported that his abductors
are officers of the Uzbekistan National Security Service, and have taken him
to Uzbekistan. Amnesty International fears that Abdumanob Pulatov may be
subjected to torture or possibly killed.
Abdumanob Pulatov is chairman of the independent Human Rights Society of
Uzbekistan and a member of the opposition Birlik (Unity) movement of Uzbekistan.
However, he has lived in Moscow for several months as a virtual political
exile because of harassment by the Uzbek authorities. He was in Bishkek to
organize an international human rights conference on 6-7 December, which was
co-hosted by the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan. It was announced at the
conference that Abdumanob Pulatov was to remain in Bishkek as director of a
new Central Asian human rights information centre.
Shortly after midday on 8 December witnesses saw Abdumanob Pulatov being seized
by two men from the street outside his hotel in Bishkek and forcibly put into
a white van, which then drove away. A Kyrgyz police spokesman later stated
that Abdumanob Pulatov's abductors were members of the Uzbekistan National
Security Service. Shortly before his abduction Abdumanob Pulatov had
reportedly expressed fears that the Uzbek authorities might try to kill him.
Amnesty International is calling on the Uzbek authorities to release Abdumanob
Pulatov immediately and unconditionally.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Opposition politicians and human rights activists are subject to frequent
persecution and harassment in Uzbekistan. One prisoner of conscience, Babur
Shakirov, is currently in pre-trial detention on charges of calling for the
overthrow of the state, because of his attempts to establish a peaceful
parliamentary-style opposition forum. Probable prisoner of conscience Pulat
Akhunov is currently on trial on assault charges which sources allege have
been fabricated to punish him for his opposition activities. Short-term
"administrative arrest" of up to 15 days has been used to punish people for
organizing peaceful meetings and demonstrations. On at least seven occasions
during 1992 leaders of the Birlik movement, including Abdumanob Pulatov's
brother Abdurakhim Pulatov, have been victims of serious physical assault by
unknown assailants.
On 4 December at least six opposition activists were detained by police in
Uzbekistan to prevented them from attending the Bishkek human rights conference.
Page 2 of UA 390/92
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/express and airmail letters
either in Russian, English or in your own language:
- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdumanob Pulatov;
- calling for the Uzbek authorities to guarantee Abdumanob Pulatov's safety.
APPEALS TO
1. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
Apparat Prezidenta
Prezidentu Respubliki Uzbekistan
KARIMOVU I.A.
Telegrams: Respublika Uzbekistan, g. Tashkent, Apparat Prezidenta,
Prezidentu KARIMOVU I.A.
Telexes: 116343 MID SU; 116116 BAHOR SU
Salutation: Dear President Karimov
2. Chairman of the National Security Service:
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
Natsionalnaya sluzhba bezopasnosti Respubliki Uzbekistan
Predsedatelyu ALIYEVU G.
Telegrams: Respublika Uzbekistan, g. Tashkent, Natsionalnaya sluzhba
bezopasnosti Respubliki, Predsedatelyu ALIYEVU G.
Salutation: Dear Chairman
3. Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
ulitsa Gogolya, 66
Prokuratura Respubliki Uzbekistan
Generalnomu Prokuroru MUSTAFOYEVU B.
Telegrams: Respublika Uzbekistan, g. Tashkent, ulitsa Gogolya 66,
Prokuratura Respubliki, Prokuroru MUSTAFOYEVU B.
Salutation: Dear Procurator General
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
Ministerstvo inostrannykh del
Respubliki Uzbekistan
Ministru ABDURAZZAKOVU U.
and to diplomatic representatives of Uzbekistan accredited to your country
(these are usually to be found at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the
former Soviet Embassy).
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 21 January 1993.