Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan: International conference on Political Stabilisation fails to address human rights issues
On the second day of his mission to Kyrgyzstan Andrew Anderson attended a conference on Political Stabilisation in the Kyrgyz Republic - the usual weak combination of "platitudes and positive thinking" The highlight of of our second day in Bishkek was having lunch with two of the most indefatigable of Kyrgyz human rights defenders, Aziza Abdirasulova and Tolekan Ismailova. They had both faced death threats and a media defamation campaign because they spoke out about the bloody inter-ethnic violence of the summer. They were accused of being traitors because they highlighted the killings of ethnic Uzbeks.
Further Information
We were attending a conference titled “Political Stabilisation in the Kyrgyz Republic” which brought together political leaders, diplomats, academics and civil society representatives in a plush Western hotel.
Kyrgyzstan: International conference on Political Stabilisation fails to address human rights issues
On the second day of his mission to Kyrgyzstan Andrew Anderson attended a conference on Political Stabilisation in the Kyrgyz Republic - the usual weak combination of "platitudes and positive thinking"
The highlight of of our second day in Bishkek was having lunch with two of the most indefatigable of Kyrgyz human rights defenders, Aziza Abdirasulova and Tolekan Ismailova. They had both faced death threats and a media defamation campaign because they spoke out about the bloody inter-ethnic violence of the summer. They were accused of being traitors because they highlighted the killings of ethnic Uzbeks.
Further Information
We were attending a conference titled “Political Stabilisation in the Kyrgyz Republic” which brought together political leaders, diplomats, academics and civil society representatives in a plush Western hotel.
Kyrgyzstan: Front Line given permission to visit imprisoned human rights defender Azimjan Askarov
Front Line's Deputy Director Andrew Anderson is currently on mission in Kyrgyzstan where he had been given permission to visit imprisoned human rights defender Azimjan Askarov. Azimjan is serving a life sentence after an unfair trial during which he was routinely beaten and denied access to his lawyer.
Azimjan Askarov - a brave man in a cruel imprisonment
"We had the great privilege of meeting Azimjan Askarov in prison colony 47 today in Bishkek.
The prison is actually supposed to be a prison hospital although that is not immediately obvious as we arrive at the entrance and shiver in the icy cold whilst our permissions and presents are processed and checked. Its very much a Soviet era institution, apparently the x-ray machine is a genuine antique, but we are ushered across a frozen courtyard and up to the Prison Director's office to meet Azimjan.
We receive a warm welcome from Azimjan who is looking much better than he did at his appeal hearing. He insists he is feeling much better too, and is being treated well here in Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan: Front Line given permission to visit imprisoned human rights defender Azimjan Askarov
Front Line's Deputy Director Andrew Anderson is currently on mission in Kyrgyzstan where he had been given permission to visit imprisoned human rights defender Azimjan Askarov. Azimjan is serving a life sentence after an unfair trial during which he was routinely beaten and denied access to his lawyer.
Azimjan Askarov - a brave man in a cruel imprisonment
"We had the great privilege of meeting Azimjan Askarov in prison colony 47 today in Bishkek.
The prison is actually supposed to be a prison hospital although that is not immediately obvious as we arrive at the entrance and shiver in the icy cold whilst our permissions and presents are processed and checked. Its very much a Soviet era institution, apparently the x-ray machine is a genuine antique, but we are ushered across a frozen courtyard and up to the Prison Director's office to meet Azimjan.
We receive a warm welcome from Azimjan who is looking much better than he did at his appeal hearing. He insists he is feeling much better too, and is being treated well here in Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan - Renewed fears of torture as appeal of Azimjan Askarov gets under way
Azimjan Askarov who is appealing against the life sentence handed down after an unfair trial is again at risk of torture.
While the hearing got under way yesterday without the scenes of violence and intimidation of the defendants witnessed in earlier hearings there are new and credible reports of regular torture of the defendants including the use of plastic bags to asphyxiate the prisoners.
The whole day of proceedings defendants did not receive any food and were not allowed to use the toilet. One defendant asked for medicine for his heart and received only after discussion with militia.
Front Line is reiterating its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Azimjan Askarov on the basis that there is no credible evidence against him.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO GET AZIMJAN ASKAROV OUT OF JAIL
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Free-Azimjan-Askarov/143217625724878
Kyrgyzstan - Azimjan Askarov appealing for justice
On 15 September Azimjan Askarov was sentenced to life imprisonment after an unfair trial during which he appeared in court with visible signs of having been beaten and during which the lawyers and defendants were routinely shouted at, threatened and intimidated.
Azimjan is a human rights defender of ethic Uzbek origin who campaigned for human rights and who during the recent inter-ethnic conflict was documenting the violence. He also used his influence to try and calm the situation.
The prosecution of Azimjan Askarov is part of an ongoing campaign by the authorities to fix blame for the inter-ethnic violence on the Uzbek community.
Azimjan's appeal against his life sentence starts its next session today
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TODAY - HELP GET AZIMJAN ASKAROV OUT OF JAIL
LOG ON TO http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Free-Azimjan-Askarov/143217625724878
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