UZBEKISTAN: Another US-funded NGO under pressure

ANKARA, 14 Sep 2005 (IRIN) - As part of a broader trend by the Uzbek government to close down both international and local NGOs, on 12 September the Civil Court of Tashkent ordered the US-based International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) to suspend activities in Uzbekistan for a period of six months.

IREX, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has worked with the Uzbek government and grassroots organisations since 1994 improving education, facilitating student exchanges, expanding internet access and supporting community development initiatives.

The international NGO, which operates in 50 countries, was accused of numerous legal violations ranging from IREX/Uzbekistan not complying with the charter of its Washington, DC-based headquarters to allegations that it had misused its logo.

“Accusations of failing to inform the Ministry of Justice of activities are false. IREX has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Justice and many other Uzbek government agencies, including providing training and conferences, which have been attended by Uzbek government officials,” Mumtoz Abdurazzakova, Country Director for IREX/Uzbekistan, said after the court decision.

Last Friday, an Uzbek court ordered US-based Internews, which promotes open media in 50 countries, to close its office. Last year Uzbekistan closed the office of Open Society, a charity run by US billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

President Islam Karimov, who has subdued political opposition to his 16-year rule, says international NGOs are trying to stoke a peaceful revolution in Uzbekistan like the ones which changed governments in ex-Soviet Ukraine and Georgia.

"Suspending the activities of IREX in Uzbekistan is an unfortunate step that will impede the development of Uzbek civil society and the strengthening of higher education," Mark Pomar, President of IREX, said in a statement.

Human rights bodies say dozens of Uzbek dissidents have been jailed and international charities have come under pressure since May, when according to witnesses, troops killed up to 1,000 people, quelling riots in the eastern town of Andijan.

IREX has stated it will fight the suspension. "For over 40 years IREX has conducted programmes, first with the Soviet Union and later with the newly independent states of Eurasia. IREX is appealing the suspension and we expect a quick resolution of this issue and the reinstatement of IREX's activities in Uzbekistan,” Pomar said.

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