Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, a Karakalpak human rights defender, was unlawfully sentenced to 16 years in prison in connection with the Nukus events of July 1-2, 2022. He is currently serving his sentence at KIN-11 in the Navoi Region of Uzbekistan. Freedom for Eurasia has repeatedly published disturbing reports of torture, threats, and cruel treatment that Tajimuratov continues to face in prison.
Reports from his relatives indicate that KIN-11 staff persist in committing unlawful acts against him. These include adding unknown substances to his food, leading to a deterioration in his health, as well as renewed threats to transfer him back to a stricter prison facility. Beatings and other forms of violence by KIN-11 staff have also resumed.
Despite wearing active body cameras, KIN-11 officers have engaged in these unlawful actions. The relevant authorities within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor’s Office must urgently review the body camera footage, particularly:
– December 4, 2024, at 15:50 (Body Camera No. 0158)
– December 16, 2024, at 08:00n(Body Camera No. 0027)
An immediate investigation is required into the illegal actions of the KIN-11 administration, including their reported use of special inmates to assault Tajimuratov and seize his personal belongings and notes. If such video recordings are missing, it will only further confirm the validity of these allegations. The exact dates and times of the reported violence and poisoning should be verified with Tajimuratov himself.
Tajimuratov’s lawyer, Sergey Mayorov, has submitted a legal request for an investigation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the General Prosecutor of Uzbekistan, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor of Navoi Region, and the Ombudsperson of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. This request was not submitted to the head of KIN-11 due to a complete lack of trust in the institution’s leadership.
So far, the Ombudsperson’s Office has responded, stating:
“It should be noted that, in accordance with the law, the Ombudsperson takes measures to prevent cases of torture in places of detention. The Ombudsperson and members of Public Groups for the Prevention of Torture regularly conduct monitoring visits to such facilities.
During a monitoring visit to KIN-11 in 2024, an individual conversation was conducted with D. Tajimuratov. During this conversation, he denied reports circulating on social media about the use of torture against him. He also provided suggestions regarding work opportunities and increasing the duration of visits with close relatives.
Additionally, the Ombudsperson has planned another monitoring visit to the facility this year, during which individual meetings will be conducted with those who wish to participate.”
Meanwhile, the Department for the Execution of Sentences under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan responded as follows:
“Following an inspection conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office of Navoi Region, the claims made in your statement were not confirmed.”
These standardized responses and closed-door visits by the Ombudsperson, which lack transparency and real investigations, only serve to facilitate further violations of Tajimuratov’s basic rights – including his right to serve his sentence under humane and safe conditions.
Freedom for Eurasia calls on international organizations and democratic governments not to forget the fate of political prisoner Dauletmurat Tajimuratov and to advocate for his immediate release.
