Uzbekistan Denies Accreditation To Human Rights Watch

(RFE/RL) July 19, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Uzbek authorities have informed a representative of a human rights watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) that she has been denied accreditation to work in the country, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported.

Mihra Rittman will reportedly have to leave Uzbekistan.

HRW official Rachel Denber called on Uzbek authorities today to reverse the decision and allow HRW to work in the country to demonstrate that the Uzbek government "genuinely tries to create a better atmosphere for human rights organizations."

(with material from ferghana.ru)