From: hrcoord@igc.apc.org (Human Rights Coordinator)
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Subject: AI FI390/92 UZBEKISTAN Legal
Date: 20 Dec 92 02:34:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700897:000:3274
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Dec 19 18:34:00 1992


/* Written  4:48 pm  Dec 17, 1992 by gn:rmitchellai in igc:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "AI FI390/92 UZBEKISTAN Legal" ---------- */
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: EUR 62/06/92
                                    Distr: UA/SC       
 
                                    17 December 1992      
 
Further information on UA 390/92 (EUR 62/04/92, 10 December
1992) - legal concern (please note change of concern)
 
UZBEKISTAN:        Abdumannob PULATOV, human rights activist
 
Amnesty International has learned that Abdumannob Pulatov is
reportedly being held in an investigation-isolation prison in Tashkent,
the capital of Uzbekistan.  He has been charged with "infringement
upon the honour and dignity of the President" (Article 191-4 part 2 of
the Uzbekistan Criminal Code). Abdumannob Pulatov, a leading
human rights activist from Uzbekistan was abducted in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, on 8 December 1992 reportedly by officers of the
Uzbekistan National Security Service and there was grave concern for
his safety.
 
  The charge apparently relates to Abdumannob Pulatov's involvement
with the newspaper Mustakil Khaftalik, which is produced in Moscow
by the Uzbek opposition Birlik movement of which he is a member. 
According to reports, the charge specifically concerns the publication
early in 1992 of a photograph in Mustakil Khaftalik.  This showed
student demonstrators in Tashkent carrying a banner on which was
painted a caricature of Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov.
 
  Amnesty International believes that article 191-4 of the Uzbekistan
Criminal Code places unwarranted restrictions on the right to freedom
of expression, and may be invoked to punish people for their peaceful
political opposition to the authorities.  Amnesty International believes
that the arrest of Abdumannob Pulatov on this charge is a violation of
his right to freedom of expression.  Amnesty International considers
Abdumannob Pulatov a prisoner of conscience and is calling for his
immediate and unconditional release.
 
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/express and airmail letters in Russian, English or in
your own language:
 
- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdumannob
Pulatov.
 
APPEALS TO:
 
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
 
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
Apparat Prezidenta
Prezidentu Respubliki Uzbekistan
KARIMOVU I.A.
[Salutation: Dear President Karimov]
Telegrams: Respublika Uzbekistan, g. Tashkent, Apparat Prezidenta, 
           Prezidentu KARIMOVU I.A.
Telexes:   116343 MID SU; 116116 BAHOR SU
 
Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
 
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
ulitsa Gogolya, 66
Prokuratura Respubliki Uzbekistan
Generalnomu Prokuroru MUSTAFOYEVU B.
[Salutation: Dear Procurator General]
Telegrams: Respublika Uzbekistan, g. Tashkent, ulitsa Gogolya 66,
           Prokuratura Respubliki, Prokuroru MUSTAFOYEVU B.
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan:
 
Respublika Uzbekistan
g. Tashkent
Ministerstvo inostrannykh del
Respubliki Uzbekistan
Ministru ABDURAZZAKOVU U.
 
and to the diplomatic representative in your country - please see the
responses to this topic for details.
 
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human,alt.activism,talk.politics.misc,soc.culture.usa,soc.culture.african.american