On July 29, 2010, Abdujabbor Ismoil, the leader of the Russian branch of the Birdamlik People’s Movement, was brutally beaten by three security service officers from Uzbekistan and left for dead by the side of the road. He was transported by ambulance to Krasnoyarsk hospital, where he is in critical condition. Our colleague has endured severe bodily harm due to these attacks. He needs medical attention on a daily basis.
A few months ago the Uzbekistan security services made it quite clear to Abdujabbor Ismoil that he was under pressure. The Birdamlik movement has registered with the state of Russia and has been rapidly gaining strength.
As you know, the Birdamlik Movement’s own activity is marked by its commitment to the path of non-violence. Unfortunately the security officers working for the Karimov regime have placed unrelenting pressure on Birdamlik movement activists who support the transition to a peaceful democracy in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan security service officers have consistently used surveillance, violence, blackmail and other psychological pressures against our members. Activists who fight against this type of violence are illegally jailed and even murdered.
Despite the fact that the five provincial branch leaders of the Birdamlik movement in Russia are citizens of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the terror of the Karimov regime knows no borders.
We appeal to the international community, in particular the Russian state, to defend the Birdamlik People’s Movement from the violence of Uzbekistan state security officials. We ask that all democratic, humanitarian powers work side-by-side towards this serious goal.
Bahodir Hasan,
Leader of the Birdamlik People’s Movement, USA