Torture and ill treatment of human rights defender from Uzbekistan
Front Line is gravely concerned by reports that Ihtiyor Hamroev, a human rights defender and member of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan was subjected to torture and ill treatment while detained in Prison 64/78 in the Djizak region, on 26 and 27 December 2006.
On 26 December 2006, Ihtiyor Hamroev reportedly complained of stomach pains related to an ulcer and asked the prison guard on duty to call for a doctor. The head of the prison was made aware of his condition. On the following day, 27 December 2006, Ihtiyor Hamroev was allegedly handcuffed and severely beaten by prison guards. Reports claim that he was repeatedly kicked in the stomach, and was subsequently dragged by the hair across the floor. He was then transferred to an isolation unit for 24 hours. Ihtiyor Hamroev's health deteriorated considerably after the incident and he was transferred to Zafarabad district hospital where he was given a medical examination.
Ihtiyor Hamroev was arrested on 25 September 2006, and sentenced to three years in prison on charges of hooliganism. Since his arrest, prison guards at Prison 64/78, have reportedly attempted to provoke Ihtiyor Hamroev into violating disciplinary regulations in order to prevent him from being released under the amnesty declared by the Senate on 30 November 2006. Front Line believes his imprisonment is an attempt to prevent him from carrying out his legitimate work in the defence of human rights. Front Line urges the Uzbek authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ihtiyor Hamroev and carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged reports of ill treatment. Front Line also calls on the authorities to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Ihtiyor Hamroev whilst in prison and take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Uzbekistan, carrying out their legitimate work in human rights, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.
The Uzbek government’s unrelenting persecution of human rights defenders necessitates urgent action by the international community. Join Front Line’s campaign to support human rights defenders in Uzbekistan.