“Mr. President! I no longer believe you. To prove this, I announce an ongoing hunger strike. The Civil Society movement, founded by me, can live without me!” – this is how Tadjibayeva’s letter starts.

The activist highlights numerous facts of violations and pressure by the authorities and law-enforcement bodies in her letter. Thus, she speaks about two cases of theft of documents and photos from her house, numerous attempts to steal her daughter, beatings, including near the prosecutor’s office, numerous callings to administrative account on false charges and even the poisoning attempt.

In December 2003, one Ferghana regional officials, in a drunk state, called Tadjibayeva and, abusing her, said: “Now you will answer for all your deeds, you ruined your life yourself.” In one week she met with a car accident. None of her complaints were addressed by the law-enforcement bodies.

“Until this day, I believed you,” Tadjibayeva wrote to the president. “This is why I have always written you about officials creating barriers to implementation of your policy, i.e. those ignoring laws. I believed that not the state but officials were to blame for human rights violations, and I have always openly stated this, both in front of the ordinary people and politicians.”

Since her detainment on 7 October, Tadjibayeva sent three letters to the president, however this has only led to increased pressure on her.

“For two months now, I have been in detainment for contributing to at least partial rule of justice in Ferghana,” she wrote, adding that she has not been allowed even to see her only daughter.

“In Uzbekistan, Constitution and laws do not work. For this reason, I announce an open-ended hunger strike, starting today. I also refuse any medical and other aid. I was arrested for contributing to the formation of the Civil Society, promoted by you (the president – editor) on paper and in words. I have made a strong commitment to sacrifice myself for the development of civil society and to let the people see the sunlight,” Tadjibayeva wrote.

The founder of the Civil Society people’s movement, head of the “Fiery Hearts” human rights club, member of the International Human Rights Society and nominee for the Noble Peace Prize to 1,000 Women initiative was arrested on the eve of her departure to Dublin for an international rights conference.