Re: Deportation of Uzbek Rights Campaigner

The IFN calls on Kazakhstan to ensure that Lutfullo Shamsuddinov, recognized by the UN as refugee, is not returned to Uzbekistan

Nursultan Nazarbaev
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ul. Beybitshilik 11
473000 Astana
Kazakhstan

6 July 2005

Dear President,

The International Freedom Network is an international organisation which is committed to democratisation across Central Asia. We are extremely concerned by reports that you will be returning Lutfullo Shamsuddinov from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.

Mr. Shamsuddinov is a tireless campaigner of Human Rights. The UNHCR has recognised him as a refugee. Kazakhstan is bound by the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the ICCPR, and to the UN Convention against Torture. This sets out the principle that refugees should not be forcibly returned to any country where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations, even if a third country is calling for their extradition.

We ask you to prove your commitment to international law by ensuring that Lutfullo Shamsuddinov is not returned to Uzbekistan. We believe that Mr. Shamsuddinov would be at risk of serious human rights violations, including torture and even the imposition of the death penalty after unfair trial, if he were forcibly returned to Uzbekistan.

We urge you to set an example of your commitment to all refugees, in your treatment of Mr. Shamsuddinov.

Sincerely,

Rachid Nougmanov
General Director

Copies to:
Rashid Tusupbekov, Procurator General of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Bolot Baykadamov, Human Rights Commissioner of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Kasymzhomart Tokaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan