Uzbekistan: Tashkent Acts to Remove Any Pretense of Fair Trials

In a move that appears designed to give the Uzbek government total control over the legal system, officials in Tashkent are requiring all defense lawyers in Uzbekistan to reapply for licenses to practice law.

Many defense lawyers believe that those who refuse to do the government's bidding will end up having the license renewal applications rejected. Uzbek judges and prosecutors are already appointed by the executive branch.

Under the government initiative, defense lawyers will have to meet all re-licensing requirements by July 1. Critics say the re-licensing initiative is unconstitutional and have appealed to Uzbek President Islam Karimov and to the country's Constitutional Court.