Les Coeurs Ardents, le Mouvement des étudiants des Coeurs Ardents, la FIDH, l’ACAT-France, Amnesty International-France, la Ligue des Droits de l’Homme et l’association «Droits de l’Homme en Asie Centrale» ont organisé une manifestation le 30 janvier 2012 à proximité de l’ambassade d’Ouzbékistan à Paris pour réclamer la libération des prisonniers politiques et l’arrêt de la torture.

We upset Karimov on his birthday, claim Paris protestors

Islam Karimov’s birthday in Paris Islam Karimov’s birthday, 30th January, should become a world day of protest against the political repression Uzbekistan’s President is inflicting upon his country, according to human rights campaigner Mutabar Tadjibayeva, leader of the “Ardent Hearts Club”.

The protest Tadjibayeva led outside the Uzbek Embassy in Paris yesterday to mark Karimov’s 74th birhday, was supported by Uzbek and French human rights activists, who held flowers, balloons and pictures of the political prisoners currently languishing in Uzbek prisons.

Many who took part in the protest wanted to lay the pictures and flowers down on the Embassy steps but Uzbek diplomats had asked the French police to prevent this.

“I think that we may have upset Karimov on his birthday, said Tadjibayeva. If he and his diplomatic representatives had not been concerned about the protest they would not have called for assistance from the police.”

Your birthday is the day when you receive presents and best wishes from friends, but Islam Karimov does not deserve this, she says.

Similar ‘celebrations’, says Tadjibayeva, should be held to mark this day every year until Karimov steps down.

“Uzbekistan is in the grip of a political and economic crisis and all because of Karimov; torture has become commonplace, crime and corruption have flourished. We have no kind words for him on his birthday,” the Ardent Hearts leader continued.

Jorgen Schurr, from the human rights organization Redress, which helps torture victims achieve justice, took part in the protest to support Uzbek prisoners of conscience.

“I think it is important to support people like Mutabar. In France few people are aware of the situation in Uzbekistan but such actions will help to spread the word,” Schurr said.

Islam Karimov’s birthday may not be the only reason for human rights campaigners to stage protests in Paris. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, the Uzbek President’s younger daughter, lives and in Paris, where she works as a UNESCO ambassador.

Mutabar Tadjibayeva says that it is possible that she and other activists will congratulate Karimova on International Women’s Day on 8th March as a way of reminding her of the poverty and injustice experienced by the majority of women in Uzbekistan.

Uznews.net

30.01.2012