The British House of Lords debated corporate governance on July 5, mentioning the issue of forced child labor in Uzbekistan in the cotton industry and a corporate pledge to oppose the practice.
A non-profit organization, Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) has created a pledge to be signed by US and European companies and/or brands and retailers to publicly state their opposition against the use of forced child labor in Uzbekistan cotton. The company pledge initiative was noted in a July 5 debate on corporate governance, the United Kingdom based charity Anti-Slavery International reported. The House of Lords is the upper house of the parliament of the UK.
The debate highlights many of the crucial issues facing other legislatures around the world as they struggle to devise ways for corporations to become more ethical and accountable to universal human rights standards, yet avoid excessive government regulation at a time when businesses are trying to create jobs in a global recession. The MPs discussed the need for better reporting on corporate practices and compliance with labor rights. The British debate indicates a growing awareness of the implications for European cotton traders in dealing with Uzbekistan. Tashkent has incorporated international conventions against forced child labor into its domestic legislation, but has not implemented them.
The independent Uzbek news site uznews.net has followed up on two incidents that have lately strained EU relations with Uzbekistan. On July 1, a French judge ruled in favor of a French journalist for rue89.com sued for libel by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, daughter of Uzbek President Islam Karimov. It also turns out that on June 21, EU and UNICEF representatives in Tashkent announced that they had no idea that their letters stating their relationship to a charitable organization chaired by Karimova-Tillyaeva were going to be used in court. Officials said their letters regarding financial support of the charity, which had raised questions about EU funding of state-controlled entities, were used without their knowledge.
Yet in the case of the EU representative, Pierre-Paul Antheunissens, while the trial was still under way and questions about the letters began to be raised by members of parliament (MPs) and the press, he did not mention this claim of lack of consent. Rather, he waved away concerns about appearances of cooperating with the dictatorship, saying, "“Sometimes you have to work with organizations like this one, and if they really provide good service to children with disabilities, then why not?” the Telegraph reported on June 2.
In another indication of strains with an EU member state, the cancellation of a visit by German MPs earlier this month was due their protest calling for the release of imprisoned journalist, Salijon Abdurakhmanov, uznews.net reported. The MPs launched their protest during last May’s visit by Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov. The Uzbek government said they were "too busy" implementing reforms and could not meet with the MPs.
Abdurakhmanov, age 61, and a Karakalpakstan-based correspondent for uznews.net, was arrested in June 2008 and sentenced to 10 years in jail after a case was fabricated against him.
Two former Uzbek broadcast journalists have continued to publicize the issue of apriori censorship, mismanagement, and corruption at Uzbekistan’s State TV Broadcaster, Human Rights Watch reports. Malohat Eshonkulova and Saodat Amonova began a hunger-strike to protest media censorship on June 27. The two journalists were hoping to hold a press conference July 7, but were forced to cancel it. Authorities prevented people from entering their apartment, and foreign diplomats didn't show up in any event, according to local human rights activists.
Steve Swerdlow, Uzbekistan researcher for Human Rights Watch, told EurasiaNet that there was grave concern about the women's health as even after the cancellation of the news conference, they continued to fast. Swerdlow noted that the women had launched their protest on Uzbekistan's Media Workers' Day, contrasting with President Karimov's claims to promote media freedom in a speech to mark the day.
On the one hand, President Karimov claimed there was "dynamic development of information technologies" in Uzbekistan and urged journalists to master the new media. Yet he harkened back to long-standing state control of media with his warning about "destructive forces trying to lead young people with immature consciousness and unsettled views on life, trying to exploit the capacities of the Internet for their own, mercenary purposes, and to what negative consequences this sometimes leads."
Ultimately, due to deteriorating health and also the hospitalization of a family member, the two journalists were compelled later to call off their hunger strike, amid complaints that foreign embassies either did not learn of their action or were reluctant or unable to visit them due to the Uzbek security presence. Earlier, they had been arrested and fined $1,500 each for holding a public meeting without authorization.
Despite the president's claims in his speech, Uzbek state control of media and culture is vividly manifested in the experiences of Obid Asomov, the most famous comedian in Uzbekistan who is banned from Uzbek television for reasons known only to the authorities, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe reported. Broadcasters are also barred from mentioning his name, and his old films, including children's cartoons, are no long aired. He continues to perform for Russian television, which is available throughout the region on satellite.
His case is similar to that of other Uzbek performers, says RFE/RL. Yulduz Usmanova, said to be the most famous Uzbek singer, reportedly fell out of favor for touring Turkmenistan without prior approval. In 2008, she left the country to live in Turkey, citing political persecution in Uzbekistan. Prominent folk singer Sherali Juraev has long been barred from state television and radio amid rumors that authorities questioned his loyalty to the government. Earlier this year, the government reined in hip-hop and rap artists by making them clear lyrics in advance through a state performers' agency.
Ferghana.ru, a regional news website, last year quoted an unnamed Uzbek singer as saying authorities demand that at least 30 percent of performers' repertoire consist of patriotic songs.
Uzbek authorities are undertaking sweeping renovations in preparation for the 20th anniversary of independence on September 1, yet the abrupt moves are having an adverse affect on citizens, EurasiaNet reports. After a presidential decree in April to launch the reconstruction, authorities flattened central neighborhoods such as Almazar, Tezikovka, and Ukcha, which housed several thousand residents, reportedly to build a new financial center. Next came the demolition of several large markets such as Farkhad, Navoi, Parkent, Alay and several smaller shopping centers, which employed over 10,000 people. People who have lost businesses have not been given compensation, and appeals to authorities go unanswered. Promised new homes have not materialized, due to budget constraints, forcing many to double up with relatives. Human rights activists and independent media have criticized the lack of democratic participation in the decisions about urban renewal, and lack of transparency and due process.
Catherine A. Fitzpatrick compiles the Uzbekistan weekly roundup for EurasiaNet. She is also editor of EurasiaNet's Choihona blog. To subscribe to Uzbekistan News Briefs, a weekly digest of international and regional press, write [email protected]
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