According to “The Times” (Feb 8.2103), the British Ministry of Defence plans to sell military hardware leftover from Afghanistan that is not worth repatriating to Britain to Uzbekistan.
We were surprised that the British government considered only narrow financial and geostrategic considerations in this regard, and not legitimate human rights concerns.
It has also come to light that Uzbekistan is seeking to buy combat equipment, including armoured vehicles and military helicopters from the U.S., UK and Germany.
In what military campaign will Uzbekistan use these weapons systems?
History shows that the Karimov regime had no compunction against using military vehicles and helicopters against its own people. According to various independent sources, between 500 and 700 people, including women and children, were killed when government forces shot into crowds of peaceful protesters in Andijan in May 2005. The government troops deployed Soviet-made armoured personnel carriers (BTR), while a reconnaissance helicopter was used to define targets before the massacre.
Should new mass protests break out in Uzbekistan, which is becoming more likely every day due to the Uzbek population’s growing discontent with Islam Karmov’s corrupt and repressive regime, there is no doubt that military equipment will again be used against civilians. Whatever promises it makes to Western governments, this time the ruling regime will most certainly employ any military equipment sold to Uzbekistan by Britain, the U.S. or Germany should it see fit to do so. Should this happen, the responsibility for a new massacre will have to be shared by the governments of the countries that supplied these weapons. If at new tragedy happens, the personalities who initiated this trade deal, including Prime Minister David Cameron and Defence Minister Philip Hammond, should share responsibility for the outcomes of their decision.
It is still not too late to stop these deals. We, therefore, call upon the members of the British Parliament to disapprove of any sale of weapons systems to Uzbekistan and to appoint a commission that would consider the range of the proposed arms and military equipment for sale to determine whether it can be used against civilians.
We urge the U.S. government and the government of Germany to take similar measures to prevent the sale of lethal or dual-use military equipment to Uzbekistan.
The governments of these three countries have to prioritise human rights concerns when considering the sale of weapons to Uzbekistan’s authoritarian regime, which is known for its dire human rights record and total disregard for the lives of ordinary people.
Signatories,
Uzbekistan
1. Nadejda Atayeva, President, Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, France.
2. Jodgor Obid, Poet, Member of the International Pen Club, Austria.
3. Dilarom Iskhakova, Poetess, Uzbekistan
4. Ismail Dadajanov, Chairman, Democratic Forum of Uzbekistan, Sweden
5. Sanjar Umarov, Leader, Coalition “Sunshine Uzbekistan”, USA
6. Mukhammad Salikh, Leader, “Erk” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Norway
7. Nigara Khidoyatova, Political figure, Uzbekistan
8. Abdujalil Boymatov, Chairman, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, Ireland
9. Alisher Taksanov, Independent Journalist, Switzerland
10. Bashorat Eshova, Coordinator, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, Switzerland
11. Sergey Ignatyev, Coordinator, Project “Arts and Human Rights”, AHRCA, USA
12. Natalya Bushuyeva, Editor-in-Chief, Radio Programme “SOS”, AHRCA, Sweden
13. Kudrat Babajanov, Journalist, Sweden
14. Gulshan Karayeva, Chairperson, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan in the Qashqadarya province, Uzbekistan
15. Tulkin Karaev, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, Sweden
16. Khusan Temirov, Human Rights Defender for freedom of conscience, Sweden
17. Mukhiddin Kurbanov, International Organisation of Human Rights Activists, Sweden
18. Daniel Anderson, Political refugee, Norway
19. David Anderson, Political refugee, Norway
20. Avaz Fayazov, International Organisation, “Human Rights Defenders”, Sweden
21. Bayramali Yusupov, Political refugee, Denmark
22. Rafik Ganiev, Human Rights Society “Ezgulik”, Sweden
23. Nabidjan Narbutayev, Political Party “Birlik”, Sweden
24. Mukhammadsalikh Abutov, Organisation “Tayanch”, Sweden
25. Khusniddin Kutbiddinov, Independent journalist, Uzbekistan
26. Ulugbek Khaydarov, Journalist, Laureate of the Hellman – Hammett international human rights award, Canada
27. Shukhrat Ganiev, Director, Humanitarian Legal Centre, Coordinator of the Central Asian network of protection of human rights defenders, Uzbekistan
28. Khatam Khadjimatov, Human Rights defender, Norway
29. Ulugbek Zaynabitdinov, Political Party “Birlik”, Sweden
30. Mirakhmat Muminov, Human Rights Defender for freedom of conscience, USA
31. Farkhodkhon Mukhtarov, Member, Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
32. Oleg Sarapulov, Member, Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
33. Dilora Rakhimova, Human Rights Defender, Sweden
34. Alisher Abidov, Citizen of Uzbekistan
35. Zulfia Abidova, Citizen of Uzbekistan
36. Abbos Ikramov, Citizen of Uzbekistan
37. Nazim Khodjiev, Citizen of Uzbekistan
38. Sabir Makhkamov, Citizen of Uzbekista
39. Bakhodir Kadyrov, Citizen of Uzbekistan
40. Umid Dekhkanbayev, Citizen of Uzbekistan
41. Akmal Jamalov, Citizen of Uzbekistan
42. Davron Muminov, Citizen of Uzbekistan
43. Mukhabbat Pozilova, Citizen of Uzbekistan
44. Tashpulat Yuldashev, Political Scientist, USA
45. Darya Episova, Independent Journalist, USA
46. Atkham Shaymardanov, Ecologist and Human Rights Defender, Uzbekistan
47. Akhmadjon Normirzayev, Human Rights Defender, Uzbekistan
48. Elena Bondar, Independent Journalist, Uzbekistan
49. Salomatoy Boymatova, Member, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
50. Abdulkosim Mamarasulov, Human Rights Defender, Jazzakh province
51. Lutfullo Shamsutdinov, Chairman, Andijan branch, Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan (IHROU)
52. Nodir Akhatov, Chairman, Qarshi city branch, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan
Russia
53. Dmitriy Belomestnov, Representative, Association for Human Rights in Central Asia in Russia
54. Sergey Kovalev, Chairman, Executive Board, Russia’s “Memorial” Society, Member of the Executive Board of the “Memorial” International Society, Moscow
55. Lev Ponomaryov, Professor, Executive Director, All-Russian movement “For Human Rights”, Moscow
56. Evgeniy Ikhlov, Responsible Secretary, Public Expert Board of the All-Russian movement “For Human Rights”, Moscow
57. Priest Gleb Yakunin, Public Committee “For Freedom of Conscience”, Moscow
58. Valentin Gefter, General Director, Human Rights Institute, Moscow
59. Elena Ryabinina, Head, Programme “Right to Asylum” Human Rights Institute, Moscow
60. Gleb Kirillov, Kostroma Regional Branch, All-Russian Public Movement “For Human Rights”, Kostroma
61. Alexander Podrabinek, former political prisoner, human rights defender, journalist, Moscow
62. Daniil Kislov, Editor-in-Chief, International Information Agency “Ferghana.Ru”
Azerbaijan
63. Leyla Yunus, Peace and Democracy Institute, Baku
64. Khikmet Khadjizade, FAR Centre, Baku
65. Matanat Azizova, Women’s Crisis Centre, Baku
66. Khafiz Safikhanov, Chairman, Non-governmental Association “Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines”
67. Zakhir Amanov, newspaper “Janub Heberleri”
68. Rasul Jafarov, Human Rights Club
69. Ilgar Gasimov, ”Legal Aid”, Lenkoran city
70. Mekhman Aliyev, News Agency “Turan”
71. Anar Mamedli, Election Monitoring and Democracy Training Centre
72. Mirvari Gabramanli, Organisation for Protection of the Rights of Oil Workers
73. Elchin Bekhbudov, Zerbaijan Committee Against Torture
74. Intigam Aliyev, Legal Education Centre
75. Leyla Aliyeva, Strategic and International Studies Centre
76. Khilal Mamedov, newspaper “Tolishi Sado”
77. Emin Guseinov, Freedom and Security for Reporters Institute
78. Annaji Khasibeyli, Association of Lawyers of Azerbaijan
79. Alekper Mamedov, Centre for Democratic and Civil Control over Military Forces
80. Shakir Agayev, Newspaper “Novoye Vremya”
Armenia
81. Mikael Danielyan, Head, Armenian Helsinki Committee, Erevan
Germany
82. Bernhard Clasen, Journalist
Kazakhstan
83. Zauresh Battalova, President, Public Foundation “Parliamentarianism Development in Kazakhstan”, Astana city
84. Bakhytzhan Toregozhina, President, Public Foundation “Ar.Ruh,Hak”, Almaty city
85. Galym Ageleulov, President, Public Foundation, “Liberty”, Almaty city
86. Lukpana Akhmedyarov, Editor-in-Chief, Newspaper “Uralskaya Nedelya”, Uralsk city
87. Baktygul Kanatov, Director, Public Foundation “For Justice”, Aktobe city
88. Amangeldy Shomanbayev, Human Rights Defender, Almaty city
89. Askar Shaygumarov, Human Rights Defender, Non-governmental Association “Western Kazakhstan Union of Orphanage Inmates”, Uralsk city
90. Kseniya Ermaganbetova, Human Rights Defender, Acting Director, NGO “Dialogue Plus”, Karaganda city
91. Aytkozha Fazylova , Public figure, Karaganda city
92. Roslana Taukina, Director, Foundation “Journalisti v Bede” (Journalists in Trouble), Almaty city
93. Irina Savostina, Chairperson, Pensioners’ Movement Regional Non-governmental Association “Generation”, Almaty city
94. Ramzan Esergepov, Chairman, Executive Board, Non-Governmental Foundation “Journalists in Trouble”, Almaty city
95. Dametken Alenova, Chairperson, Public Association “Women’s Movement of Kazakhstan”, Almaty city
96. Fatima Djandosova, Development Director, Magazine “Umniye veshchi” (Smart Things), Almaty city
Kyrgyzstan
97. Sardar Bagishbekov, Chairman, Non-governmental Foundation “Voice of Freedom”www.vof.kg, Bishkek city
98. Leila Nazgul Seiitbek, member of Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, Bishkek
Norway
99. Adam Arvigson, citizen of Norway
100. Bjorn Eriksson, citizen of Norway
101. Knut Koasa, citizen of Norway
Poland
103. Ludmila Kozlowska, President, “Open Dialogue” Foundation
Turkmenistan
104. Farid Tukhbatullin, Chairperson, Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR), Austria
105. Vyacheslav Mamedov, Chairman, Democratic Civil Union of Turkmenistan, The Netherlands
106. Timur Misrikhanov, Chairperson, Union of Independent Lawyers of Turkmenistan
Tajikistan
107. M. Sharifi, Human Rights Defender
108. Gulnora Ravshan, Journalist
Ukraine
109. Oleksiy Tolkachov, President, European Association of Ukrainians, Kiev
France
110. Natalya Gorbanevskaya, Russian poetess, translator, Human Rights Defender, former political prisoner, Participantsof the Dissident Movement of the USSR
111. Hadijat Gadaeva, Human Rights Defender