[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 545 Engrossed in House (EH)]
H. Res. 545
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
December 18, 2005.
Whereas the United States supports the development of democracy, free markets,
and civil society in Uzbekistan and in other states in Central Asia;
Whereas the rule of law, the impartial application of the law, and equal justice
for all courts of law are pillars of all democratic societies;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly arrested in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on
October 22, 2005;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov is a businessman and leader of the Uzbek opposition party,
Sunshine Coalition;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly taken into custody on October 22, 2005,
during a crackdown on the Sunshine Coalition that included a raid of its
offices and seizure of its records;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly charged with grand larceny;
Whereas press accounts report that representatives of Sanjar Umarov claim that
Mr. Umarov was drugged and abused while at his pretrial confinement
center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but such accounts could not be
immediately confirmed, and official information about the health,
whereabouts, and treatment while in custody of Mr. Umarov has thus far
been unavailable;
Whereas the United States has expressed its serious concern regarding the
overall state of human rights in Uzbekistan and is seeking to clarify
the facts of this case;
Whereas the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have expressed concern about the arrest and
possible abuse of Sanjar Umarov; and
Whereas the Government of Uzbekistan is party to various treaty obligations, and
in particular those under the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, which obligate governments to provide for due process
in criminal cases: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
(1) the law enforcement and judicial authorities of Uzbekistan
should ensure that Sanjar Umarov is accorded the full measure of his
rights under the Uzbekistan Constitution to defend himself against any
and all charges that may be brought against him, in a fair and
transparent process, so that individual justice may be done;
(2) the Government of Uzbekistan should observe its various treaty
obligations, especially those under the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, which obligate governments to provide for due
process in criminal cases; and
(3) the Government of Uzbekistan should publicly clarify the charges
against Sanjar Umarov, his current condition, and his whereabouts.
Attest:
Clerk.