EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/385

(2004/C 88 E/0392)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2140/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(26 June 2003)

Subject: Violation of freedom of religion in Uzbekistan

In May 2003, four Jehovah's Witnesses suffered physical violence at the hands of local authority representatives near Kagan police station, having been caught praying in the street. One of them was left unconscious and another, according to the medical report, suffered damage to the skull caused by blows to the head. The police deny that the four were victims of violence. The courts are undecided as to whether to pursue criminal or administrative proceedings against the four.

Two Jehovah's Witnesses, Shukhrat Ashurov and Alisher Argeliyev, were investigated under the code of administrative offences, leading to a police raid of the flat of one of the two in which some of their materials were confiscated (the Koran, the New Testament and the Bible). Ashurov stated that the books had been brought into Uzbekistan legally, but Khusan Imanaliyev of the Anti-Terrorism and International Affairs Department of the district of Gazalkent justified the action by stating that the two, although not considered to be terrorists, were, on the basis of the evidence found, guilty of proselytism, which is a crime under Uzbek law.

Bakhtier Tuichiev, a Pentecostal pastor, has been trying to have his church in Andijan registered with the local authorities for about a year. Tuichiev received the authorisation from his district in February 2002, but the central administration has refused to register the request, repeatedly delaying the decision for scarcely credible reasons. In January and April of this year, Tuichiev was warned of possible administrative proceedings against him if he continued to exercise religious activity without authorisation (which has been requested but not granted). The church is under strict and continuous surveillance by police officers.

Last September, a group of people who claimed to be BBC and CNN journalists visited Tuichiev, but it is likely that they were in fact officers of the National Security Service (ex KGB).

In view of the excellent relations that exist between the EU and Uzbekistan in terms of economic and trade cooperation, can the Commission state:

— whether it is aware of these facts; and

— what initiatives, within the limits of the cooperation relationship, could constitute a serious and effective instrument to make Uzbekistan respect freedom of religion?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2003)

The Commission is fully aware of the very difficult conditions facing religious minorities in Uzbekistan.

The EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Co-operation Agreement provides an appropriate framework for the discussion of such issues.

The Commission attaches great importance to the rights of freedom of religion, belief and expression. This is a fundamental human right and as such is enshrined in a number of international instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18), the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9). In addition, the Union Charter of fundamental rights, which guides the Commission's external action in this field, makes clear that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 10) and that cultural, religious and linguistic diversity should be respected.

The Union has repeatedly affirmed that human rights and democratisation must form an integral part of our political dialogue with third countries. Religious freedom as a fundamental human right as well as the rights of religious minorities are thus addressed through the Union's bilateral political relations, and, when appropriate, through démarches and public declarations, as well as through multilateral in fora such as the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and the Organisation on Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The Commission will continue to raise this question with the Uzbek authorities wherever the opportunity arises.