In an urgent call to action, human rights organisations are demanding the immediate release and compensation for Valijon Kalonov, an activist held in a psychiatric hospital since December 2021. A recent ruling from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared Kalonov’s detention unlawful, labelling it as arbitrary and a violation of his rights under international human rights law.
Kalono, a 55-year-old blogger from Jizzakh, has faced aggressive governmental tactics for his vocal criticism of policies and his call for a presidential election boycott in 2021. He was arrested amidst accusations of “threatening public safety” and “insulting the president online” stemming from his social media posts. Authorities misconstrued his words as religious extremism, leading to his forced psychiatric detention.
After a December 2021 court decision ruled him unfit for trial, he was confined to a psychiatric facility. Despite the state’s claims, friends and colleagues insist that he has no mental health issues warranting such a detainment. Past dubious psychiatric evaluations aimed at discrediting dissenters also cast a long shadow over Kalonov’s situation.
Previous instances of political dissidents undergoing forced psychiatric treatment highlight a troubling trend, as seen with veteran activist Elena Urlaeva, who suffered severe mistreatment during multiple detentions from 2001 to 2016. Professor Michael Perlin, who worked with the UN working group, denounced Kalonov’s detention as an egregious abuse and a relic of Soviet-era practices.
The UN’s assessment found a breach of numerous articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and called for an independent inquiry into Kalonov’s case. International allies of Uzbekistan must pressure the government to honour these recommendations and guarantee Kalonov’s release and compensation. Past cases, like that of Otabek Sattoriy, showcases a lack of adherence to UN resolutions, demanding systemic change within Uzbekistan’s human rights framework.
Despite celebrating its officials’ positions in international human rights bodies, the Uzbek government continues to fail in addressing and executing UN recommendations. As Mihra Rittmann from Human Rights Watch stressed, urgent action is needed: “Kalonov shouldn’t have to spend another day unlawfully and abusively locked up.”
Valijon Kalonov, an Uzbek blogger, has been confined in a psychiatric hospital since December 2021 following his criticism of the government. The United Nations condemned his detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release and compensation. Kalonov’s case is part of a troubling pattern of human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, requiring international pressure for reform and accountability.
In conclusion, the case of Valijon Kalonov exemplifies a broader pattern of repression against dissenting voices in Uzbekistan. The UN’s declaration of his arbitrary detention calls for immediate action from the government, not just for Kalonov’s release, but also for reparations and an investigation into the abuses he suffered. The international community is encouraged to hold Uzbekistan accountable and ensure compliance with human rights standards, or risk perpetuating a cycle of injustice. Furthermore, the plea from human rights organisations underlines the need for systemic change in Uzbekistan, whereby all citizens can exercise their rights without fear of retribution.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
