This is a miniscule portion of the abuse the community meets with generally. In a letter to her, we highlighted the pattern of gross human rights violations. The criminalization of free belief is a violation of Uzbekistan s obligations under international human rights law. The U.S. should send the message that there will be consequences for this. This is Madeleine Albright s first visit to Central Asia as Secretary of State.
Security takes complete and total precedence over human rights.
I see it as a reward, and I m sure Akayev does, as well. The UN Human Rights Commission should be voting this month to make this happen. It s not clear whether it will take the form of a Special Rapporteur or a Special Representative of the Secretary General. The main thing is the mandate. The 44-NGO coalition backing the plan, headed by the International Service for Human Rights, has submitted amendments to the draft resolution to enable this person to make recommendations, not just receive information.