EU Council Conclusions on Uzbekistan

Summary: EU Council Conclusions on Uzbekistan (3 October 2005: Luxembourg)

Council of the European Union 2679th EU Council session - EXTERNAL RELATIONS - Luxembourg

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council remains profoundly concerned about the situation in Uzbekistan and strongly condemns the Uzbek authorities' refusal to allow an independent international inquiry into the events in Andijan in May.

2. The Council is particularly concerned at the conclusions of the ODIHR and OHCHR reports on the events in Andijan, and the credible eyewitness accounts as reported by NGOs and the media, which contradict the Uzbek authorities' version of events. The Council is also alarmed about reports of the detention and harassment of those, including human rights defenders, journalists and others, who have questioned the authorities' version of events in Andijan on 12-13 May, and calls on the Uzbek government to discontinue such practices. For these reasons, the Council continues to place primary importance on a credible and transparent independent international inquiry.

3. The Council recalls its earlier Conclusions concerning Uzbekistan and notes a report of the EUSR for Central Asia Ján Kubiš following his visit to Uzbekistan on 8-10 September.

4. In light of the excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Uzbek security forces during the Andijan events, the Council has decided to impose an embargo on exports to Uzbekistan of arms, military equipment and other equipment that might be used for internal repression.

5. The Council has also decided to implement restrictions on admission to the European Union aimed at those individuals directly responsible for the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force in Andijan. To this end, the Council requests the relevant Council bodies to embark on the necessary preparations. The Council will keep the implementation of these restrictions under close review according to developments.

6. The Council further recalls its undertaking in its 18 July Conclusions to review the EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Co-operation Agreement in the event of continued Uzbek refusal to allow an international independent inquiry. The Council has accordingly decided to immediately suspend sine die all scheduled technical meetings under the PCA.

Furthermore, the Council supports the Commission's re-orientation and proposed reduction of its TACIS programme in order to support increased focus on the needs of the population, democracy and human rights, as well as to foster closer links with Uzbek civil society.

7. The Council also recalls its earlier decision that all bilateral ministerial contacts of the EU and its Member States with President Karimov and his government should include strong messages on the importance of respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Uzbekistan.

8. In order to pursue the international community's efforts for an independent inquiry, the Council requests EU Member States in the OSCE and the UN to support invoking respective mechanisms and procedures, and calls on like-minded countries to co-operate to this end with EU Member States. The Council urges the Uzbek authorities to lend their full co-operation to this process.

9. The Council requests relevant Council bodies to follow closely the situation in Uzbekistan, in particular:

i) the conduct and outcome of the ongoing trials of those accused of precipitating and participating in the disturbances in Andijan. In this regard, the Council takes note of the decision by the Uzbek government to allow OSCE observers to attend these trials. The EU also notes with utmost concern reports from independent organisations alleging unfair trials based on confessions extracted under duress of fifteen persons tried for subversive activities in connection with the events in Andijan;

ii) the situation regarding the detention and harassment of those who have questioned the Uzbek authorities' version of events in Andijan;

iii) Uzbek co-operation with any independent, international Rapporteur appointed to investigate the disturbances in Andijan;

iv) the outcome of any independent, international inquiry.

10. The Council has decided to implement these measures for an initial period of one year. In the meantime, the Council will review the measures it has implemented in the light of any significant changes to the current situation, in particular with regard to the elements in paragraph 9 above and any that demonstrate the willingness of the Uzbek authorities to adhere to the principles of respect for human rights, rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

11. The Council invites the EUSR for Central Asia to continue his contacts with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, and expresses its continued readiness to develop relations with the countries of the Central Asian region on the basis of a mutual commitment to common values, particularly in the field of human rights."

Ref: CL05-238EN
EU source: Council
UN forum:
Date: 3/10/2005

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