The Uzbek authorities expelled the representative of the Human Rights Watch Igor Vorontsov from the country. This was the first case when representative of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) was expelled from Uzbekistan, Fergana.ru reported.
HRW's office in Uzbekistan has not been working since June 2007, when the accreditation of the Director of the HRW representative Andrea Berg was cancelled. Vorontsov, who replaced Berg, had to wait for several months until the Uzbek authorities were considering the accreditation issue. At last, Vorontsov was rejected to issue accreditation because of Vorontsov was not informed about the Uzbek people mentality and was unable to evaluate reforms in the country.
However, Human Rights Watch continued taking efforts to get accreditation for its representative. According to Uznews.net, the European Union, the United States and Germany rendered help to HRW to get accreditation for its representative in Uzbekistan.
At the beginning of July, the Executive Director of HRW Kenneth Pot paid a visit to Tashkent and held meetings with several Uzbek officials trying to issue accreditation to Vorontsov for his full activity in the country. However, the recent expel of Vorontsov from the country shows unsuccessful negotiations by HRW with the Uzbek Government and to improve the situation in human rights and to endure HRW in the country.
Human Rights Watch made a statement demanding the European Union to condemn the Uzbek Government, which according to HRW representative Veronika Goldstone Sente, sneers at the EU and lift of sanction imposed on Uzbekistan after the Andijan tragedy in 2005 became a 'premature reward ' for Tashkent.
According to HRW press-release, by refusing from issuing accreditation to Vorontsov the Uzbek Government explained that it would consider alternative candidates to the Director position of HRW representative in Uzbekistan. The candidates must not be of Russian origin.
HRW considers such position like discrimination and absolutely inappropriate interference into internal affairs of independent non-governmental organization. Human right activists are sure that the Uzbek Government wants to stop HRW's activity in the country.
Human Rights Watch stated that it would continue investigations in violation of human right phere in Uzbekistan.