Freedom Hause. Key Developments: June 2014 – may 2015 Uzbekistan
Digital Activism
In February 2015, the banned opposition group Birdamlik and human rights defender Mutabar Tadjibayeva protested against the unconstitutional presidential elections of March 29, 2015, by staging their own virtual alternative election. The organizers launched a virtual election committee’s website at Saylov2015.org, where people could cast a vote for eleven presidential candidates (excluding President Karimov).
The major goal was to engage the public in Uzbekistan in the virtual exercise of free and fair elections and promote democracy.[69] Unsurprisingly, prior to the official election date, hackers defaced the website with pornographic images and the website is no longer available.[70]
Violations of User Rights:
The extent of state interference with internet users’ rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to privacy, is a cause of serious concern. State measures to silence dissent include persecution and criminal prosecution of regime critics and independent journalists, often on fabricated chargers, as well as systematic and permanent media censorship and constant surveillance of communications.
A freelance reporter for an independent online media outlet was prosecuted and fined by a court in June 2014 for working without the appropriate license after he published an article about the government ordering the demolition of buildings in Tashkent and failing to compensate residents.
The 10-year-old independent news website Uznews ceased operations after confidential information leaked by hackers exposed its reporters in Uzbekistan to possible retaliation from the government. As of May 2015, one Uzbek internet user was serving an eight-year prison sentence for violating constitutional order by establishing communication over the internet with an Uzbek opposition group in exile and for distributing materials on the group’s orders.
[69] RFE/RL Uzbek Service, “Virtual Election’ Seeks To Give Uzbeks Real Choice,” Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, February 10, 2015, http://bit.ly/1P1fWx3.
[70] ” Узбекистан: Виртуальная избирательная комиссия прекратила работу в связи с хакерской атакой на веб-сайт,” Fergana, March 24, 2015, http://bit.ly/1DTT3Xh.
Freedom Hause. Key Developments. June 2014 – may 2015 Uzbekistan
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