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| Murad Djuraev |
The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) expresses its
sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of Murad Djuraev after
learning that he passed away today.
On 4 December 2017, Murad Djuraev, well known social and political figure and former prisoner of conscience, died suddenly at the age of 65 in the town of Murabek.
His life was a difficult one:
he suffered persecution from the Uzbekistani authorities in retaliation for
expressing views and having the courage to speak openly about problems in
Uzbekistan. As mayor of Mubarek, he supported the opposition Popular Movement
of Uzbekistan "Birlik" and its leaders, and in retaliation for this
he was imprisoned in 1994 on fabricated charges. In total, he spent 21 years of
his life behind bars, serving five consecutive terms on politically motivated
sentences. After pressure from the international community, he was released in
November 2015 but was already seriously ill.
With great difficulty, he
eventually received a passport and, in October this year, was given official
permission to travel abroad for treatment.
For the past two years, he was
kept under complete surveillance by the National Security Services of
Uzbekistan. He was threatened with re-arrest if he spoke to journalists, but he
continued to believe that the reforms announced would take place and Uzbekistan
would become a country where the observance of human rights would become the
norm.
"I believe that only
Uzbekistani citizens can contribute to positive change in our country. The main
thing is to feel free and not indifferent, and then bars no longer matter” - Murad Juraev told AHRCA in October 2017.
He also dreamed of personally
meeting with the activists from AHRCA, Amnesty International, International Partnership
of Human Rights, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Norwegian Helsinki
Committee and other international organizations and of participating in the
next session of the UN Human Rights Council, to say that their participation in
the fate of civil society activists in Uzbekistan can contribute to the
restoration of justice. And to remind people that there are others currently in
detention who need the support of the international community.
The Association for Human
Rights in Central Asia has corresponded regularly with Murad Juraev since the
association was set up - his death is a terrible loss for us all.
Rest in peace Murad Juraev.
