Appendix IV. Letter to Prosecutor General of UzbekistanUnofficial translation from the Russian by Human Rights Watch July 20, 2007 Mr. Rashitjon Kodirov Via facsimile: +998.71.133.20.66 Dear Mr. Kodirov, I am writing to seek information about the governments response to allegations of ill-treatment, including torture in police lock ups, pre-trial detention facilities and prisons in Uzbekistan. Human Rights Watch is currently gathering information about this issue for a report we plan for autumn 2007. In the interests of objectivity, we would like to ensure our report properly reflects the governments views, information, polices and practices regarding ill-treatment, including torture. We would therefore be most grateful for replies to a number of questions outlined below. Because the report will be published in November 2007, we hope to receive an answer by September 1. If we receive your comments by then, we will certainly reflect them in our publication. We are familiar with the Uzbek governments report Information on implementation of recommendations of UN Special Rapporteur on Torture delivered by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the OSCE on October 16, 2006 and with the Third Periodic Report submitted by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Committee Against Torture on July 1, 2005. Based on the information provided in these reports and the often contradictory information Human Rights Watchs representative office in Tashkent gathered at trials and during numerous interviews with torture victims and their relatives as well as with lawyers we have the following questions:
A response can be sent to me, in Uzbek, Russian, or English, either by fax, at 212.736.1300 or by email at cartneh@hrw.org. I would also be happy to meet with the Uzbek ambassador to the United States to discuss these questions. I thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Holly Cartner Europe and Central Asia Director |