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2007

Uzbekistan: Are There Prospects for Change?

Member

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Hon. Chris Smith

Co-Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

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Abdurahim Polat

Chairman

Birlik Party

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Gulam Umarov

Son of Sanjar Umarov, Imprisoned Chairman of the Sunshine Coalition

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Muhammad Salih

Leader

Erk Party

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Martha Brill Olcott

Senior Associate

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

This briefing evaluated the political status of Uzbekistan, which, under the rule of President Islam Karimov, has been a repressive, authoritarian state that bans opposition and maintains Soviet-style censorship. Since the bloody events in Andijon in May 2005, however, repression has intensified, with a countrywide crackdown on human rights activists, religious groups and members of opposition groups. The void left by NGOs that promote democracy that have been forced to leave the country was especially concerning.

Witnesses testifying at this briefing – including Mr. Abdurahim Polat, Chairman of the Birlik Party; Mr. Muhammad Salih, Chairman of the Erk Party; Mr. Gulam Umarov, son of Sanjar Umarov, the imprisoned Chairman of the Sunshine Coalition; and Dr. Martha Brill Olcott, Senior Associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – addressed prospects for democratization in Uzbekistan, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential election in that country.

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