The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights

Respublika Uzbekistan; 700035 g. Tashkent;

Oliy Majlis Respubliki Uzbekistan;

Upolnomochennoy po pravam

cheloveka pri Oliy Majlis RASHIDOVOY S.

8 January 2007

Re: Human rights defender Elena Urlaeva attacked on eve of protest

Dear Commissioner,

Front Line is concerned by reports received that Elena Urlaeva, human rights defender and Chairwoman of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, was severely beaten on 4 January 2007. Front Line believes that Elena Urlaeva was attacked and robbed in an attempt to prevent her from carrying out her legitimate work in the defence of human rights.

On 4 January, at approximately 16:00, as she neared the Tashkent Mirzo-Ulugbek District Court for civil cases, Elena Urlaeva was approached by four women who asked her if she was Elena Urlaeva. Upon responding that she was, the women proceeded to attack her, knocking her to the ground and beating her all over her body, including her face and head. The women reportedly took her bag which contained important documents concerning the human rights situation in Uzbekistan as well as some money.

Elena Urlaeva was taken to hospital where doctors allegedly refused to treat her or give her a certificate of her injuries. She is currently at home but reports having a swollen face and internal pains in her stomach and chest.

This attack occurred one day prior to an organised protest against the detention of human rights defender Umida Niyazova, who was detained during customs clearance at Tashkent airport on 21 December 2006. Following nine hours of detention, Umida Niyazova, who previously worked with Internews Network, Freedom House and as an interpreter for Human Rights Watch, was allowed to leave but her passport, laptop and flash disk were confiscated. Furthermore, on 2 January 2007, the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan held a protest near the Prosecutor-General’s office in Tashkent to demand the release of all political prisoners.

The attack is a new example of ongoing threats and harassment faced by Elena Urlaeva, as she was previously forced by the Uzbek authorities to undergo psychiatric treatment. In April 2001, she was incarcerated for two months after leading protests against a road-building project. In August 2002 she was held for three months after she attended a protest outside the Ministry of Justice. Both times she was injected against her will with psychiatric drugs including Thorazine and Cyclodol. In 2003 she was examined by an independent psychiatric commission and declared sane. On 27 August 2005, Elena Urlaeva was placed in psychiatric detention and later forced to take the psychiatric drug Rispoplet.

Front Line urges the Uzbek authorities to:

• Carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged attack and robbery of Elena Urlaeva;
• Release all human rights defenders, in particular those unjustly detained in psychiatric hospitals as a result of their legitimate work for human rights;
• Take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their legitimate work in human rights, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.

Front Line respectfully reminds you that the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders and their right to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw attention to Article 5: ‘For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels: (a) To meet or assemble peacefully; (b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups‘, and Article 12 (2): ‘The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.’