Category Archives: Central Asia
Vitaly Ponomarev: Government propaganda in Russia actively inflates “Islamophobia” and “Ukrainophobia”
Dozens of refugees and migrants from the Central Asia have been kidnapped in Russia last year.
Later the kidnapped people appearto be in detention in the countries of their origin accused of serious crimes of so-called religious articles of the Criminal Code.
In his interview with “Jarayon”,prominent Russian human rights defender Vitaly Ponomarev speaks about cases of immigrants from Central Asia, who fled their homelandsdue to threat of persecution for religious or political reasons, structures involved in kidnapping and international law standards to protect such individuals.
Russia: Stop Mass Arrests of Migrants
Paris, 31 October 2014 – Between 23 October and 2 November 2014 the authorities of Moscow are implementing “Operation Migrant 2014″, aimed at cracking down on “illegal” migration.
7000 migrants were arrested in the first four days during mass raids in which police have used violence. FIDH and ADC « Memorial » call on the Russian authorities to immediately suspend the operation and instead to explore measures to enable migrants to regularise their situations and to work in Russia legally.
The Committee for liberation of Vadim Kuramshin is concerned about his transfer to another colony
The Committee for liberation of Vadim Kuramshin fears that the human rights defender may be tortured and abused if transferred to another colony.
On 30 October 2014, the Committee reported about an intention to transfer the Kazakh human rights activist to another colony. According to the official sources, ES 164/4 Colony (informally called “Zhaman-Sopka” – note by “Jarayon”) located in Northern Kazakhstan region is going to be liquidated.
However, his colleagues and relativeshave been worried and concerned with the given news.
Kyrgyz National Security Committee accuses an Uzbek journalist of libel
Osh branch of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee sues Uzbek journalist Shahrukh Saipov accusing him of libel.
Today, on 28 August, the Osh city court will begin reviewing the legal action against independent Uzbek journalist, freelancer of Fergana.ru news agency Shahrukh Saipov, who is accused of libelby the Osh branch of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee (GKNB).
Trial against Uzbek journalist Shahrukh Saipov is cancelled
Fergana.ru news agency reported on 28 August that the Osh branch of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee (GKNB) withdrew its lawsuit against journalist Shahrukh Saipov.
We would remind that today, on 28 August 28, the Osh city court was supposed to reviewthe legal action against independent Uzbek journalist, freelancer of Fergana.ru news agency Shahrukh Saipov accused of libel by the Osh branch of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee (GKNB).
The Netherlands: court stopped deportation of Kazakh Muslim refugees
Refugees from Kazakhstan won a small but very important victory in the Dutch court in Middelburg, where their deportation case was tried on July 24, 2014.
B.Shakiyev, his family of three children and relative N. Shakiyev are Kazakh refugees (their names are changedfor obvious reasons). They asked for political asylum in the Dutch capital at the Amsterdam Airportin May 2012.
They had been persecuted in Kazakhstan by the national security services for several years for their religious beliefs. As a result, they were forced to secretly leave the country and apply for asylum in the Netherlands.
In Kyrgyzstan, another Muslim refugee is under threat of extradition to Uzbekistan
According to “Memorial” Human Rights Center, Muslim refugee Ablakhat Itakhunov, wanted in Uzbekistan on “Islamic extremism” charges, has been kept in an investigation cell in Bishkek for more than 7 months waiting for a decision.
According to “Memorial” Human Rights Center based in Moscow, 42-year-old Russian citizen Ablakhat Itakhunov was detained by the Kyrgyzstan National Security Committee on November 28, 2013 in the town of Kara-Balta as he was internationallywanted. Since then, he has been in custody, and the period of his detention has been repeatedly extended.
Kyrgyz authorities accused Vasilya Inoyatova of inciting ethnic hatred and prevented her departure from the country
Vasilya Inoyatova, the Head of “Ezgulik” Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, personally informed “Jarayon” about that.
Vasilya Inoyatova arrived in Bishkek on the night of June 29 to meet her colleagues in Kyrgyzstan, after that she was supposed to fly to one of the European countries.
However, border guards of Manas airport did not let her go into the country, saying that the Uzbek human rights activist cannot enter Kyrgyzstan.
Vasilya Inoyatovaspent seven hours in the airport transit area.
Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan: Torture victims still detained and not compensated for illegal extradition
For two years now, Kazakhstan has refused to implement a decision from the UN Committee Against Torture. It must return safely and promptly 29 individuals that were illegally returned to torture in Uzbekistan in 2011, and pay as soon as possible compensation to the victims and their relatives. Kazakhstan must also press for investigations into torture allegations that occurred after the extradition.
In December 2010, considering the proven risk of torture upon forcible return to Uzbekistan, ACAT filed a complaint on behalf of 29 asylum seekers and refugees in Kazakhstan that were subject to extradition. At three occasions, the UN Committee against Torture (UNCAT) ordered Kazakhstan not to return the 29 complainants while reviewing the case.
Local and international civil society organizations call on Central Asian states to end torture and impunity
On 26 June 2014, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, a coalition of human rights organizations is urging the five Central Asian governments topublicly and unequivocally condemn torture and to demonstrate their commitment with follow up actions.
In December 1997, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, a day to speak out against the crime of torture, and to honour and support victims and survivors around the world.
