Life of the modern man has become unthinkable without the Internet, computers, mobile phones, Skype, GPRS, SIP, Wi-Fi and other numerous information and communication technology (ICT) programs and devices that actuate cognitive activity of the man.

ICT has enabled people to gain access to unlimited global information base, enriching their knowledge and making people’s lives much easier and more interesting. Along with this, ICT tremendous opportunities have become hidden weapon in the hands of the ruling elites at the level of world politics that are manipulating minds of millions of people, expose them to aggressive information influences, which in some cases is detrimental to the mental and moral health of the man, disrupts the moral norms of the society, leads to destabilization of the socio-political situation.

In all corners of the world, companies that provide information and communication services, face increasing pressure from regional governments that require compliance with domestic policies and legislation that are contrary to the international law and ultimately lead to violation of freedom of expression and privacy.

In the view of the topicality of the given issue, the Global Network Initiative and Telecommunications Dialogue on Freedom of Expression and Privacy is conducting a joint training Forum in Brussels on 13 November, 2013. This is the first joint forum, which will involve a number of reputable international organizations and human rights organizations that will try to find answers to pressing questions regarding freedom of speech and the right to privacy. At the Forum, presentations will be delivered by leaders and representatives of the following organizations: “Global Network Initiative”, “Telecommunications Industry Dialogue”, “Center for Democracy and Technology”, “Centre for Internet & Society”, “TeliaSonera”, “New America Foundation”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and “Folksam”.

International Human Rights Association “Fiery Hearts Club” will participate in the Forum following an official invitation of the Global network initiatives and Telecommunications Dialogue on Freedom of Expression and Privacy.

For 25 years, citizens of Uzbekistan have been facing daily violations of their constitutional rights, free speech and privacy. For 25 years, being the unchallenged president, Islam Karimov destroyed the concept of “freedom of expression” and “privacy” with the support of intelligence and other law enforcement agencies. Few representatives of the civil society, human rights activists and independent journalists, who tried to raise these issues, have been subject to motivated harassment followed by fabricated criminal cases.

In exchange for the guarantee of free activities in the country, telecommunications companies provide any confidential information about users to special services of Uzbekistan, which is a gross violation of the international law. In pursuit of maximum profit, telecommunications companies endanger lives of members of the civil society, who are trying to fight Islam Karimov’s authoritarian regime. With the help of telecommunications companies, Uzbek secret services have established total control over all spheres of life of citizens of the country.

According to freedom of the press and freedom of religion reports, the Internet Freedom rating and Corruption Perceptions Index, indicators of Uzbekistan are among the worst countries in the world. Despite the fact that the authorities of the country announce reforms and democratic changes in the country, each innovative idea of the authorities remain only on paper due to lack of functioning opposition parties and the civil society. Information isolation of the country, lack of accredited journalists from the international media and international human rights organizations in Uzbekistan deprives citizens of the country of access to information about the region.

The so-called “Arab Spring” that began in December 2010 and covered countries of North Africa and the Middle East has made the Uzbek authorities anxious. Karimov’s authoritarian regime, being anxious for its future, has toughened repression of citizens, strengthening control over information and communication technologies. Suppressing the outset of revolutionary sentiments in the country, the country’s security forces have started to physically liquidate opponents outside the country.

Well-known Uzbek imam Obidkhon-qori Nazarov was assassinated in the Swedish city of Strömsund on 22 February, 2012. An unknown person shot him several times with a pistol and managed to escape. Despite numerous wounds, Obidkhon-qori Nazarov survived, but he is in a coma now. The authorities of Uzbekistan considered Obidkhon-qori Nazarov an implacable enemy of the regime, which has an opportunity to influence revolutionary sentiments among Muslims in the country. During the 2012-2013, the secret services of Uzbekistan arrested lots of citizens for their religious beliefs and exposed them to torture and violence. The detainees were charged with accessing religious (traditional) information in the Internet via their mobile phones or computers.

Every day, we are worried for lives of our colleagues and partners because of the current situation in the country. They carry out their professional duties putting their lives in danger. Regardless of physical condition, age and gender, representatives of the civil society and independent journalists have been subjected to motivated harassment and set-up criminal cases by Karimov’s regime for their cooperation with international human rights organizations and foreign media. Some representatives of the citizen journalism have been accused of crimes only for making reports for foreign media via their mobile phones. Not only detained people have been subject to torture and violence, but also their relatives so that they do not pass information to international NGOs.

At the Forum, “Fiery Hearts Club”International Human Rights Association will raise topical issues ICT providers face. We will present evidences of crimes of the Uzbek regime against its own people so that participants of the Forum make certain findings and conclusions. We want potential international organizations or companies that want to cooperate with Uzbekistan to have been informed about the partner they will have to cooperate. We want international organizations or companies that intend to work with Uzbekistan to have observance of human rights in the country as one of the main issues in future negotiations.

Mutabar Tadjibayeva,

The head of “Fiery Hearts Club”

International Human Rights Association