18/05/2005

Calls for independent inquiry into Uzbekistan deaths

There have been calls for an independent inquiry into the deaths in Uzbekistan over the weekend, following a trip to the country by diplomats and UN officials today.

A group of over 30 foreign diplomats and a number of foreign journalists were given a government-organised tour of Andijan today.

Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that she was “deeply concerned” about the violence which broke out in the capital of Andijan on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called for an independent inquiry to be held into the deaths and said that aid agencies, foreign diplomats and journalists should be given “full and immediate access” to the areas where violence is alleged to have occurred.

It was reported that around 500 people were shot by government troops during protests in Andijan, allegedly sparked by the jailbreak of a group of Muslim businessmen, who were on trial accused of Islamic extremism. The government has blamed Islamic extremists for the violence and said that 169 people were killed.

It is also been reported that local people seized control of the town of Korasuv, which borders Krygyzstan. According to reports, a Muslim rebel leader Bakhtiyor Rakhimov said that there were plans to establish an Islamic state in the town and they would fight any government troops who attempt to enter it.

Uzbekistan, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, is an ally of the United States in the war against terrorism and allows the US to use an air base in the country for operations against Afghanistan.

(KMcA)




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