Uzbekistan

I am often frustrated that I only very rarely receive any reply when I write or e-mail in support of Amnesty appeals. The Uzbekistan embassy in London on its website has at least given a reply in the form of an open letter, dated 22/07/2006, to the Director of Amnesty International UK.  Not that they accept any of the criticism of the trial at which Mutabar Tadjibayeva was sentenced, but if they have given a reply it does show that they are concerned about the image of the country.  When Mutabar Tadjibayeva was detained she was due to fly to Ireland the next day, for Front Line's 3rd Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders.   

On Uzbekistan it is worth considering the views of Craig Murray who was the Ambassador for the UK in that country from August 2002 until he was removed from the post in October 2004. He soon became aware of human rights abuses and was a vocal critic.  Craig Murray is still speaking out and has a  website.  He has also written a book, Murder in Samarkand, which I have yet to read.

The president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, has written a book as well. I haven't read it.  The paperback edition is not a bestseller; Amazon UK has more than 2 million other titles that sell better.