Uzbekistan: Acts of intimidation against human rights defender Saida Kurbanova

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following acts of intimidation against human rights defender Saida Kurbanova. Saida Kurbanova is the head of the non-governmental organisation, the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU), in the Pakhtakor district of the Jizak region. She is also a farmer and a campaigner for farmers' rights.

Since 24 February 2008, Saida Kurbanova has reportedly been under threat of eviction as a result of her organisation of, and participation in, a series of peaceful protests in the past two months to protest against the lack of domestic heating and electricity in the Jizak region. According to information received, Saida Kurbanova has been under pressure from local authorities to leave the region. The head of the Pahtakor District Administration, Ergash Soliyev, has reportedly threatened her relatives, Kabul Sattarov and Murad Hujamuradov, that they will lose their farms if she refuses to leave the Jizak region. Saida Kurbanova has also reportedly been subject to constant surveillance by unidentified persons in plain clothes and on 22 February 2008, she was attacked by a young man who stole her bag.

In May 2007, Saida Kurbanova was subject to a smear campaign by regional media as a result of her work and was called a traitor of the motherland by Ergash Soliyev for internationally publicising the plight of Uzbek farmers. This winter, farmers and citizens in Uzbekistan have suffered gas shortages amidst freezing temperatures.

I believe that Saida Kurbanova has been targeted as a result of her human rights activities and particularly those of the HRSU in defence of the rights of farmers in Uzbekistan. Further concern is expressed for the security and physical and psychological integrity of Saida Kurbanova, and that of her family members and all members of the HRSU.

I urge the authorities in Uzbekistan to:

1. Carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the reported acts of intimidation against human rights defender Saida Kurbanova and her family members, with a view to identifying those parties responsible, publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice;

2. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Saida Kurbanova and her family members, as well as that of all members of the HRSU;

3. 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.

Yours sincerely