UN Urged: Free and Protect Tajimuratov Now
GENEVA - The Government of Uzbekistan must guarantee the safety of human rights defender and lawyer Dawletmurat Tajimuratov and release him, an independent human rights expert said today.
"I am gravely concerned by new allegations of torture and ill-treatment against Dawletmurat Tajimuratov and his continued detention, which the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found arbitrary in November 2024," said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
Tajimuratov has advocated for the rights of the Karakalpak ethnic minority. In the summer of 2022, he opposed proposed constitutional amendments that would have stripped the Republic of Karakalpakstan of its autonomy and right to secede from Uzbekistan based on a referendum. He has been detained since 4 July 2022 and is now serving a 16-year sentence, handed down on 31 January 2023 and upheld on appeal.
"It is deeply concerning that, over a year after the Working Group's opinion was adopted, not only has he not been released, but new allegations of serious human rights abuses have emerged," Lawlor said.
On 20 November 2025, during a formal assembly at the penal colony No. 11 in Navoi, where Tajimuratov is serving his sentence, the first deputy head reportedly publicly insulted Tajimuratov, referring to him in degrading terms before prisoners and staff. In protest, Tajimuratov is said to have thrown his boots at the official. He was reportedly restrained, forced to walk barefoot to the colony headquarters, and beaten along the way. At the headquarters, he was allegedly subjected to ill-treatment, including being made to stand barefoot on concrete while multiple buckets of cold water mixed with lime were poured over him.
On 21 November, he was reportedly placed in a cold punishment cell for 15 days. During this period, he was allegedly subjected to further violence, reportedly causing him to lose consciousness. According to some reports, he was later threatened with further retaliation.
In addition, safety standards are reportedly not observed during Tajimuratov's work in a lime workshop and he has reportedly been denied rest on Sundays.
"These allegations must be promptly, thoroughly, and impartially investigated. If confirmed, they may amount to violations of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and other fundamental rights," the Special Rapporteur said.
Tajimuratov's repeated complaints have reportedly gone unanswered, and letters from his relatives are allegedly being withheld. The penal colony administration reportedly denied his family a scheduled visit on 13 January, citing alleged "systematic violations of internal regulations." Other prisoners have allegedly been prohibited from communicating with him.
"The reported denial of a family visit and apparent attempts to isolate Mr. Tajimuratov adds to my concerns about his condition and safety," Lawlor said. "Since his arrest, there have been regular reports of ill-treatment and other rights violations. While the Government has denied these allegations to my mandate, citing internal investigations and monitoring, I continue to receive credible reports to the contrary. I therefore reiterate my call for the immediate release of Mr. Tajimuratov. Until then, the Government must guarantee his safety, investigate all alleged violations without delay, and ensure accountability."
"In light of the serious discrepancies between official information and incoming reports, I urge the Government to allow an urgent visit by UN staff and other independent international monitors, and to permit regular follow-up visits until his release," Lawlor said. "If Mr. Tajimuratov's rights are fully respected, there can be no legitimate basis for refusing such access."
The Special Rapporteur is in contact with the Government on this issue.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/01/uzbekistan-must-ensure-safety-human-rights-defender-dawletmurat-tajimuratov
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