President Islam Karimov
Republic of Uzbekistan
VIA FAX: 011 998 71 139 53 15

March 18, 2001

Your Excellency:

The International League for Human Rights, an international, non-governmental human rights organization with consultative status at the United Nations ECOSOC, is extremely disturbed by the reports of the death in detention of Emin Usman, a prominent Uigur writer and citizen of Uzbekistan.

According to local sources, on February 28, 2001, 56-year-old Usman died while in detention at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of Uzbekistan. On February 11, 2001, policemen arrested Usman outside his house at the Navoi collective farm in the Tashkent Region and took him to the basement of the Internal Affairs Ministry building. Reportedly, the only meeting Usman's lawyer was allowed with him took place on the fifth day after his arrest. According to Internal Affairs Prosecutor Abdumutal Zakrullaev, Usman was charged under Article 244.1 of the Uzbekistani Criminal Code ("distribution of materials presenting a danger to public security").

The official cause of Usman's death on February 28 was reported as suicide. On March 1, 2001, Usman's body was brought to his house, while a group of 50-60 policemen accompanying the body blocked access to the building. Reportedly, the policemen did not allow the family to wash the body or hold a wake, although a relative was able to see what was described as a "deep bloody wound on the back of his head" and numerous bruises on the body. On police orders, Usman was buried the following day at 6:00 a.m.. According to a relative, "Policemen themselves buried Usman. During the ceremony, the cemetery was surrounded by a thick ring of policemen and plainclothes officials. Friends and relatives were not allowed anywhere near the grave."

Given these circumstances around Usman's burial, there is a strong suspicion that his death may have been the result of torture while in detention. The League joins concerned human rights monitors, colleagues and relatives in Uzbekistan in demanding that an immediate investigation into the circumstances of Emin Usman's death be conducted and those responsible brought before an impartial trial. We also call upon you to use the power of your office to guarantee respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Uzbek Constitution and international standards.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Catherine Fitzpatrick
Executive Director

Cc: Siradzhuddin Mirsafayev
Minister of Justice
VIA FAX: 011 998 71 133 51 76

Sayora Rashidova
Commissioner for Human Rights
VIA FAX: 011 998 71 139 85 55

Amb. John Herbst
US Embassy
VIA FAX: 011 998 71 120 6335