OSCE Centre in Tashkent calls for international involvement in investigating the Andijan events

TASHKENT, 20 May 2005 - The Head of the OSCE Centre in Tashkent, Ambassador Miroslav Jenca, has appealed to the Uzbek Government to allow international involvement in the investigation of the Andijan events at the end of last week.

Speaking to human rights activists in the capital today, he said: "We are seriously concerned about what happened in Andijan on 12 and 13 May. The attacks by a group of armed people on several installations, as well as alleged incidents of hostage-taking and execution of hostages, have to be investigated and, if they occurred, condemned.

"At the same time, an inquiry should also be launched into the allegations of the disproportionate use of force by government troops, resulting in many victims among innocent people, as well as other serious human rights violations that have been reported to us through different channels."

"The international community should be involved in these investigations.  And the OSCE stands ready to assist."

From 16 to 18 May, the OSCE Centre in Tashkent deployed a two-man fact-finding team to the Andijan Region and the Eastern Ferghana Valley. On 18 May, Ambassador Jenca went to Andijan with other diplomats and journalists at the Government's invitation.

"That trip, as well as the trip of our team to Andijan, can only be considered as the initial stages, the follow-up of which is now necessary."

After a report was published in the local paper, Pravda Vostoka, alleging that Ambassador Jenca denied seeing any signs of a demonstration in Andijan, a crowd gathered this morning outside the office of the OSCE Centre In Tashkent.

They dispersed when the Ambassador went outside to speak to them and was able to explain precisely how he had been misquoted in the report.