Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 12:12am
Helsinki Commission hits Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan on religious freedom
The governments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were criticized by U.S. members of the Helsinki Commission for failing to protect the rights of their citizens to freely practice their faith.
U.S. Senator, and Commission Chairman, Sam Brownback (R-KS) said, "In a part of the world where prospects for human rights are generally bleak, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan stand out as particularly egregious violators of religious freedom,"
"As the panelists at today's briefing made clear, there remains a mountain to climb when it comes to bringing both countries into compliance with the standards that their presidents agreed to when they personally signed the Helsinki Final Act. Respect for the right to freedom of worship is an important indicator for other fundamental freedoms."
Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), said in his opening statement at Thursday's briefing, "The absence of religious freedom and freedom of conscience in both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is of deep concern and demands closer scrutiny. Practicing one's religious convictions is, after life itself, one of the most basic rights. The faith communities in these countries face many reprisals and Uzbekistan should be designated a 'Country of Particular Concern,' and we should seriously reconsider Turkmenistan."
Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have committed, as Helsinki Accord signatories, to guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Uzbekistan has been cited for persecuting Muslims and has grown increasingly repressive of other faiths. Turkmenistan has also repressed the practice of Islam and harassed the free practice of minority religions.
Brownback has advocated putting both nations in The Commission's category of "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC), unless significant changes are made. Getting CPC status can make a a country subject to possible political and economic sanctions, although those are not being talked about at this point.
"Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are clearly the worst of the worst in the OSCE region. As President Bush said in his second inaugural speech to oppressed peoples everywhere, 'the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors.' Unless significant changes occur soon, the United States must consider both countries as prime candidates for CPC designation," said Brownback.
The Helsinki Commission is a U.S. Government agency. Formally called The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, it is mandated by Congress to monitor human rights in relation to the standards set down by the 1975 Helsinki Accords.
Membership of The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.
U.S. Senator, and Commission Chairman, Sam Brownback (R-KS) said, "In a part of the world where prospects for human rights are generally bleak, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan stand out as particularly egregious violators of religious freedom,"
"As the panelists at today's briefing made clear, there remains a mountain to climb when it comes to bringing both countries into compliance with the standards that their presidents agreed to when they personally signed the Helsinki Final Act. Respect for the right to freedom of worship is an important indicator for other fundamental freedoms."
Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), said in his opening statement at Thursday's briefing, "The absence of religious freedom and freedom of conscience in both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is of deep concern and demands closer scrutiny. Practicing one's religious convictions is, after life itself, one of the most basic rights. The faith communities in these countries face many reprisals and Uzbekistan should be designated a 'Country of Particular Concern,' and we should seriously reconsider Turkmenistan."
Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have committed, as Helsinki Accord signatories, to guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Uzbekistan has been cited for persecuting Muslims and has grown increasingly repressive of other faiths. Turkmenistan has also repressed the practice of Islam and harassed the free practice of minority religions.
Brownback has advocated putting both nations in The Commission's category of "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC), unless significant changes are made. Getting CPC status can make a a country subject to possible political and economic sanctions, although those are not being talked about at this point.
"Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are clearly the worst of the worst in the OSCE region. As President Bush said in his second inaugural speech to oppressed peoples everywhere, 'the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors.' Unless significant changes occur soon, the United States must consider both countries as prime candidates for CPC designation," said Brownback.
The Helsinki Commission is a U.S. Government agency. Formally called The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, it is mandated by Congress to monitor human rights in relation to the standards set down by the 1975 Helsinki Accords.
Membership of The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.