ANNEX 1: GENERAL AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL
RELATIONS COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON UZBEKISTAN OF 26 OCTOBER 2009
"1. The Council notes that since the adoption
of the EU Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia in
May 2007, the dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan
have acquired a new scope and quality. The EU reiterates its readiness
to continue to engage comprehensively with Uzbekistan and recalls
its position to that effect as set out in previous Council Conclusions.
At the same time, the EU remains seriously concerned about the
human rights situation in Uzbekistan, and encourages the Uzbek
authorities to implement fully its international obligations in
this area.
"2. The Council recalls that restrictive measures
were originally imposed on Uzbekistan following the Andijan events
of May 2005. Bearing in mind its Conclusions of 13 October 2008,
the Council urges Uzbekistan to release all imprisoned human rights
defenders and prisoners of conscience, to allow unimpeded operation
of non-governmental organisations in the country, including Human
Rights Watch, to cooperate fully with all relevant UN Special
Rapporteurs, to guarantee freedom of speech and of the media,
to proceed with the implementation of conventions against child
labour, and to fully align its election processes with OSCE commitments,
ODIHR recommendations and other international standards for democratic
elections, especially with a view to the Parliamentary elections
on 23 December 2009.
"3. The Council welcomes the commitment of Uzbekistan
to work with the EU on a range of questions relating to human
rights and the rule of law, and notes the positive steps taken
in Uzbekistan over the last years. These include the release of
some human rights defenders, the resumption of ICRC prison visits,
the abolition of the death penalty, efforts to improve detention
conditions, the introduction of habeas corpus, the ratification
of conventions against child labour, progress in the implementation
of certain OSCE commitments as well as Uzbekistan's stated willingness
to work more closely with that organization, continuation of judicial
reform, the active participation of Uzbekistan in the EU Rule
of Law Initiative for Central Asia and the consolidation of the
dialogue on human rights between the EU and Uzbekistan.
"4. The Council encourages Uzbekistan to continue
its reforms in the fields of human rights, democratisation and
the rule of law, and remains ready to assist the Uzbek authorities
in their efforts through cooperation programmes and dialogue,
in particular in the framework of the Cooperation Council, the
dialogue on human rights and the Rule of Law Initiative.
"5. With a view to encourage the Uzbek authorities
to take further substantive steps to improve the rule of law and
the human rights situation on the ground, and taking into account
their commitments, the Council decides not to renew the remaining
restrictive measures set out in the Common Position 2008/843/CFSP.
"6. The Council will closely and continuously
observe the human rights situation in Uzbekistan. Within a year,
the External Relations Council will discuss and assess progress
made by the Uzbek authorities and the effectiveness of EU-Uzbek
cooperation. While reaffirming the EU's readiness to strengthen
its relations with Uzbekistan, the Council notes that the depth
and quality of the dialogue and cooperation will depend on Uzbek
reforms and progress in the areas mentioned above."
|
