Rights Groups Demand Justice Over Andijon Killings

How many died last year in Andijon is still disputed (AFP) PRAGUE, May 11, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- International human right organizations today are calling for justice for the victims of a military crackdown a year ago against demonstrators in Uzbekistan.
Amnesty International said Uzbek authorities continue to use the events in the city of Andijon in mid-May 2005 as an excuse for clamping down on freedom of expression in the name of national security and the war on terrorism.

Human Rights Watch said the government has failed to hold the perpetrators of the killings accountable. It also said Uzbekistan's government has engaged in a "fierce crackdown" on rights activists, journalists, and civil-society institutions.

Uzbek authorities have said that nearly 190 militants were killed in what they described as an armed insurgency in Andijon on May 13, 2005.

But witnesses and human rights groups say the death toll was much higher and included many unarmed civilians.

Andijon Refugees

Andijon Refugees

Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan on May 19, 2005 (epa)

NO PLACE TO GO: More than 400 Uzbeks who fled in panic in the hours and days after troops opened fire on demonstrators in Andijon one year ago have been granted political asylum outside Central Asia. In limbo for weeks in Kyrgyzstan as they and the world tried to come to grips with the bloody events of May 12 and 13, they feared for their lives and the lives of family members as the official crackdown continued.... (more)


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THE COMPLETE STORY: A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.


CHRONOLOGY

For an annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions, click here.