Узбекистан: В страну возвращается Международный Комитет Красного Креста

It looks like it's a human rights day in Uzbekistan today. The ICRC, in its official statement, said they were resuming prison monitoring in Uzbekistan. HRW said they were trying to re-open their office in Tashkent and the US Ambassador said, Uzbekistan is making small, but significant steps to improve human rights in the country.

Some of these are very good news -- I never questioned professionalism of the ICRC and I know they would never compromise with the Uzbekistani government. Re-opening their office in Tashkent also seems like a good idea for the HRW. Ambo's remark indicate the US is indeed trying to re-establish broken links with Uzbekistan and no matter what one's standing on resuming relations with the US are, I think I agree with the Amb. Norland, that Uzbekistan, willingly or just for a show, has taken some steps to ease up human rights. Anyway, let's hope that in an effort to put up a show for the West, Uzbekistan will involuntarily carry out actual reforms.

http://www.ferghana.ru/news.php?id=8623&mode=snews
http://www.vof.kg/uz/news/?news=1371

"Еркин Каракалпакстан" призвала народ этой республики к проведению референдума и выводу автономии из состава Узбекистана

http://uznews.net/news_single.php?lng=ru&sub=top&cid=1&nid=3870

Uznews.net – Незарегистрированная партия национального возрождения «Еркин Каракалпакстан» («Свободный Каракалпакстан») призвала народ этой республики к проведению референдума и выводу автономии из состава Узбекистана.

_______________________________________________________________

I always assumed that Karakalpaks did not really want their independence and now that I came to think about it, I never even tried to rationalize why they wouldn't want to be independent, Karakalpakstan, for me, has always been a part of Uzbekistan and it's 20th century history. In light of the recent Kosovo's independence, Karakalpakstan's claim to independence does seem to be quite plausible.

So, are Uzbeks ready to let Karakalpaks go?

Гульнара Ишанханова: «Законы Узбекистана об адвокатуре требуют доработки»

http://www.ferghana.ru/article.php?id=5624

I am pretty amazed the ABA is openly talking about their trainings outside of Uzbekistan. According the the latest intel, the ABA is indeed planning on launching in-country training workshops for attorneys. It is not surprising as the ABA was one of the least controversial and probably one of the most efficient NGOs to ever operate in Uzbekistan. Anyway, would be interesting to see if the Uzbekistani government will allow these guys back.

I am also impressed by Ishankhanova. Of course, she's not super critical of the government, but on the other hand, she did manage to convey her message about difficulties attorneys face in Uzbekistan.

What do you guys think about what she said?

Happy Women's Day!

We would like to congratulate all ladies with the International Women's Day! Wish you best of luck, happiness and, above all, impeccable health so you can outlive your men :)

p.s. I wonder though, why there is no International Men's Day...

Welcome to the Blog!

Dear Friends,

It’s my pleasure to announce a new blog dedicated to Uzbekistan, its people, its foreign and domestic policy, and generally everything that has some impact on or connection to Uzbekistan, and what we – people who are not indifferent to Uzbekistan – think about economic, social and political developments in the country.

Please post news (make sure you credit your sources), analysis, thoughts, insights, photos (please credit your sources), facilitate discussions (in either English, Russian or Uzbek) and have fun!

We have ONE blog regulation: RESPECT EACH OTHER’S OPINION, otherwise, we got no rules.

So, let’s roll…