UN EXPERT DEPLORES UZBEKISTAN’S LACK OF COOPERATION

 

WITH UN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

 

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 13 September (UN Information Service) -- The Special Rapporteur on torture of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights made the following statement today:

“The Special Rapporteur on Torture of the Commission on Human Rights, Theo van Boven, deeply regrets that he continues to receive information on the execution of persons whose death sentences were allegedly based on confessions extracted under torture in Uzbekistan. 

In this regard, he strongly deplores that in a number of cases the Government disregarded requests of the United Nations Human Rights Committee to stay executions pending its consideration of the cases.  Since the publication of the Special Rapporteur’s report of his visit to Uzbekistan in November-December 2002 (document E/CN.4/2003/68/Add.2), at least nine death row prisoners have been executed despite requests by the Committee for a stay of execution pending its consideration of the cases relating to these persons.  Most recently, Azizbek Karimov and Yusuf Zhumayev were reportedly executed on 10 August 2004, despite interventions by the Committee.

The Special Rapporteur appeals to the Government to ensure strict observance of its international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Optional Protocol, and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and to cooperate fully with the Special Procedures of the Commission on Human Rights.

The Special Rapporteur again draws the attention of the Government to the recommendations contained in the report of his visit to Uzbekistan.  In particular, that all competent Government authorities give immediate attention and respond to interim measures ordered by the Committee and urgent appeals dispatched by United Nations monitoring mechanisms regarding persons whose life and physical integrity may be at risk of imminent and irreparable harm; and that a moratorium be introduced on the execution of the death penalty, and that urgent and serious consideration be given to the abolition of capital punishment.”

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