| UAA and UHRP Call on Kyrgyzstan to
Respect Uyghurs' Rights
UAA/UHRP Press Release Condemning Kyrgyzstan's violation
of Uyghur civilliberties
For Immediate Release December 22, 2004
Contact: Meagan Landry, (202) 349-1494
Washington - The Uyghur American Association (UAA) and Uyghur Human
Rights Project (UHRP) join the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) in calling
on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect the human rights of the Uyghur
citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights (www.kchr.org) reports that the
although Ittipak, a preeminent, legally registered Uyghur organization
in Kyrgyzstan, planned to hold an event in commemoration of its 15th
anniversary, it was denied permission to do so three days in advance
of the event by the Kyrgyz Secretary of State, Osmonakun Ibraimov.
By refusing to allow Ittipak to conduct a lawful cultural event, the
Kyrgyz government is once again illegally denying Kyrgyz citizens' constitutional
rights to free speech and assembly.
The Kyrgyz government's intolerance of opposition and persecution of
Uyghurs exemplifies its regression from its former position as a bastion
of democracy in Central Asia to a repressive, authoritarian regime in
recent years.
According to Nury Turkel, President of the Uyghur American Association
and Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, "Kyrgyz authorities
are not only failing to observe international norms but also illegally
violating citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and speech."
Secretary Ibraimov reportedly denied permission to hold the event at
the Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theater because he felt that Rozmuhamet
Abdulbakiev, Chairman of Ittipak, "complicated the relations between
China and Kyrgyzstan" in his interview with a local paper, and
because Ibraimov assumed that every Uyghur believes in the creation
of a Uyghur state.
"It's very disappointing to witness President Akayev, who was once
praised as the Thomas Jefferson of Central Asia, consolidating sovereignty
of his nation with the unfair manipulation of Chinese influence,"
Turkel said.
He went on to say, "This is yet another example
of China's expansionism in
Central Asia and continual interference in the internal affairs of its
neighboring countries."
As a nation that aspires to become democratic, Kyrgyzstan should not
suppress the legitimate activities of Uyghur organizations that promote
Uyghur culture due to China's political pressure. This is contrary to
the democratic aspirations of the people of Kyrgyzstan and contradicts
the government's stated goal of consolidating the new democracy.
The Kyrgyz government not only disregards international criticism and
calls to improve the human rights situation, but is also violating international
law by repatriating Uyghur dissidents back to China knowing that the
dissidents will face harsh treatment and likely execution.
"It isn't difficult to imagine the consequences of these actions,
which so blatantly disregard the value of human life," said Turkel.
According to an IRIN interview of Tursun Islam, leader of the Kyrgyz
Human Rights Group Democracy, the Kyrgyz government has extradited Mamat
Yasin, Mamat Sadyk, Jalil Turdi and Bajvachcha to China, where they
were subsequently executed, and China is now actively seeking the extradition
of Jalal Kasarji, who will likely also be executed.
China, which stands in glaring defiance of international human rights
norms and democratic values, is not only depriving Uyghur people's fundamental
rights but also restricting the freedom of citizens of other nations
by pressuring governments throughout Central Asia to deny the constitutional
rights of their Uyghur citizens.
Now is the time for Akeyev government to resist Chinese pressure and
respond to the legitimate demand by the international communities and
owns citizens to respect their constitutional rights. UAA and UHRP urge
the Kyrgyz authorities to respect the human rights of all the people
in Kyrgyzstan, including the Uyghurs.
To view the original version please visit http://www.uhrp.org/press_releases/respect_uyghurs_rights
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