TO MR. JOHN KERRY, STATE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OPEN LETTER

TO MR. JOHN KERRY, STATE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr Kerry and the Staff of the State Department of the United States of America!

Please, accept our congratulations with the forthcoming great Independence Day! We are sure, the American nation will never forget the memory of those heroes, who fought for the state independence, welfare and liberty of people and their names will always be remembered by future generations.

Unfortunately, in our beloved motherland Uzbekistan, the names of those who fought for independence have been slandered, and faced wrath in the country that was already free from soviet oppression. Many of such patriots of the nation and country have been forced to live abroad. Many of them have been imprisoned at false accusations. Some of them have died. The conditions of remaining patriots are sorrowful.

By telling you the current state of Uzbek opposition we don’t mean to cause a feeling of sorrow or to ask to improve our conditions. For each nation and each people have to improve their state themselves and restore their rights. Each citizen has to contribute to the complex process of building a democratic society. In this complex process, the opposition representatives have to be an example in their patriotism and activities. In this essence, they have to be a landmark to show the way to go. If we look at the case of Uzbekistan, it is unfortunate that the Uzbek opposition, who were intended to take over this duty, have been forced to scatter around.

This happened due to the pressure policy of the government of Uzbekistan against opposition and human rights activists. The opposition found themselves in a very bad state, but they did not refuse from the elected way. Today, the opposition are still eager to fight for democracy and human rights.

We believe in America, not because it is a democratic state, but also because they are for establishment of democratic and civil state systems in other countries, and in their foreign policy they adhere to the priority of the requirement and need for democracy and human rights.

Of course, we are glad that the American and Uzbekistan bilateral relationship is developing positively. However, we can’t help thinking the fact that the more the relationship with the Uzbek government grows, the more the relations with the opposition are slowing down.

We should however admit the fact that human rights and their activists are being addressed. But, political parties and movements have been totally neglected. The grants, required for running their activities have been stopped. As a result, the Uzbek opposition are in a forced inactivity state. This very fact has made “The Assistance Centre” write this letter and approach yourselves.

Dear Mr Kerry, we hereby attach a letter by working group of “Kumak Markazi” (“The Assistance Centre”) and all accumulated application letters. We believe, on the eve of the Independence Day, you will not be indifferent to the fate of the fighters for independence of Uzbekistan.

Sincerely yours,
“Kumak Markzi” (“Assistance Centre”) Work group.

Tashkent.
30.06.2016