To President Islam Karimov
00:00, February 17, 2007 | Press Release
Dear President Karimov,
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, as a human rights organization, is concerned for the safety and the well-being of human rights defender Umida Niazova, who has been in detention in Uzbekistan since 22 January 2007.
Amnesty International considers Umida Niazova to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for carrying out her human rights work.
Therefore, I respectfully call on you
• to provide guarantees that she will not be tortured or ill-treated in detention and that she will get access to necessary medical attention;
• to release her immediately
• to allow her to peacefully exercise her right to freedom of expression in conformity with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Uzbekistan is a State Party;
• to allow human rights defenders to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of reprisals, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Institutions to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Sincerely,
Arthur Sakunts
Coordinator of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor