Minister for Europe comments on court hearing in Uzbekistan
Minister for Europe David Lidington has spoken after a member of British Embassy staff found guilty at court hearing in Tashkent.
Speaking today the Minister for Europe, David Lidington said:
“I was very concerned to hear that a locally-engaged member of staff at our Embassy in Tashkent was found guilty at a court hearing on 15 July of organising meetings without obtaining the permission of the Uzbek authorities. We believe the meetings in question - which were routine contacts on Embassy premises with civil society - were carried out entirely in accordance with international and Uzbek law. They were also entirely in line with President Karimov’s expressed wish to create an improved awareness of human rights in Uzbekistan. We have raised our serious concerns about the case with the Uzbek authorities.”