ANNEX 2: GENERAL AFFAIRS AND EXTERNAL
RELATIONS COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON UZBEKISTAN OF 13 OCTOBER 2008
"1. The Council recalls its Conclusions of 29
April 2008 and welcomes the progress achieved in Uzbekistan in
the last year with regard to respect for the rule of law and protection
of human rights. In particular, it hails the release of a number
of defenders of human rights, notably that of Mrs Mukhtabar Tojibaeva.
The Council welcomes the fact that she was also allowed to travel
abroad for medical treatment, but hopes that she will be granted
complete freedom of movement. It takes note with satisfaction
of the holding of the second series of consultations on human
rights on 5 June 2008 and the holding of a seminar on media freedom
in Tashkent on 2 and 3 October. It also welcomes the implementation
of a number of legislative and judicial reforms, in particular
the abolition of the death penalty, the introduction of habeas
corpus and the ratification of a series of conventions combating
child labour. The Council is pleased that visits by the ICRC to
prisons have resumed, and trusts that they will continue.
"2. The Council nevertheless remains seriously
concerned about the situation of human rights in some domains
in Uzbekistan and urges the authorities to implement their international
obligations fully in that regard. It calls on the Uzbek authorities
to release all imprisoned human rights defenders and to cease
harassment of human rights defenders; to accept the accreditation
of the new Country Director of Human Rights Watch and to allow
the unhindered operation of that organisation; to cooperate fully
and effectively with the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture and
on freedom of expression; and to revoke restrictions on the registration
and operation of NGOs in Uzbekistan. The judicial reforms and
reforms relating to observance of the law must be continued and
effectively enforced.
"3. The Council encourages Uzbekistan to continue
progress in the direction of human rights, democratisation and
the rule of law, and it is prepared to assist Uzbekistan in its
reforming efforts towards that goal. The Council welcomes Uzbekistan's
commitment to work with the EU on a range of questions relating
to human rights, by means including an effective dialogue on human
rights directed towards achieving practical results.
4. " In this context, the Council has decided
not to renew the travel restrictions applying to certain individuals
referred to in Common Position 2007/734/CFSP, which had been suspended
in accordance with the Council's conclusions of 15-16 October
2007 and 29 April 2008. The Council has however decided to renew,
for a period of 12 months, the arms embargo imposed in Common
Position 2007/734/CFSP.
5. "The Council will continue, on the basis
of regular reports from the Heads of Mission, to monitor and assess
the human rights situation in Uzbekistan in the light of the conditions
set out above and of any other action that demonstrates the readiness
of the Uzbek authorities to adhere to the principles of respect
for human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms."
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