The following is based on a communication written by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and other UN experts to the Government of Uzbekistan on 1 July 2024. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply. Regrettably, the Government did not reply within this time frame. If a reply is received it will be posted on the UN Special Procedures communications database.
This is a shorter version of the original communication.
BACKGROUND
Topic: the alleged ongoing threats and insults against woman human rights defender Klara Sakharova and her family, as well as alleged surveillance of her.
Ms. Klara Sakharova is a woman human rights defender defending the rights of prisoners and victims of torture in Uzbekistan.
ALLEGATIONS
Since 25 May 2024, Ms. Klara Sakharova has been receiving anonymous messages on Telegram from an account with the nickname “LONDON”. These messages contain obscene insults directed at her and her family. She also received a message saying “we will talk very soon”, along with alleged death threats and rape threats against her and her family.
On 27 May 2024, Ms. Sakharova appealed to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Chairman of the National Security Service, and the Prosecutor of the Republic of Uzbekistan, asking to investigate and bring the person responsible to justice, as well as to ensure the safety of her and her family. According to the information received, no criminal case has been opened, no investigation initiated, and no protection provided.
Additionally, since approximately 25 May 2024, Ms. Sakharova has allegedly been followed by a white Chevrolet Nexia-3. The car followed her in the city of Tashkent, first along Shota Rustaveli Street in the Yakkasaray district, then down the road leading to the National Security Service, and finally to her home. Ms. Klara Sakharova and her colleague allegedly used this route to visit the applicants whose rights they were defending. The surveillance was allegedly particularly active on 27 and 29 May 2024, as well as 11-13 June 2024.
Since 27 May 2024, Ms. Klara Sakharova’s phone number has allegedly been tapped.
CONCERNS
In the communication, we express grave concern over the threats and insults directed at Ms. Klara Sakharova and her family, as well as the alleged lack of investigation and protection for them. We are also concerned by the alleged surveillance of Ms. Klara Sakharova, which may be related to these threats or her legitimate human rights work.
