PUBLICAI Index: EUR 71/006/2001

30 November 2001

Further information on UA 305/01 (EUR 71/004/2001, 29 November 2001) - fear of forcible deportation/fear of torture

CZECH REPUBLIC/UZBEKISTANMuhammad Salih (m), aged 52

Exiled Uzbek opposition leader Muhammad Salih was remanded in custody for 40 days by Prague City Court today, while the extradition request from Uzbekistan is being examined.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please continue appeals as before, in Czech, English or your own language:

- urging the Czech authorities not to forcibly return Muhammad Salih to Uzbekistan, where he would be in grave danger of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment;

- reminding the authorities that the Czech Republic is a party to the UN Refugee Convention; the United Nations Convention against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

- reminding them that Muhammad Salih has been recognized as a refugee in Norway and that he should be released and returned to Norway for the Norwegian authorities to deal with the extradition request.

APPEALS TO:

President

Václav Havel

President of the Czech Republic

Prazsky Hrad

Praha 1

11908

CZECH REPUBLIC

Telegram:President Havel, Prazsky Hrad, Prague, Czech Republic

email: president@hrad.cz

Salutation:Dear President Havel

Minister of the Interior

Mr Stanislav Gross

Nad štolou 3

170 34 Prague 7

Fax: + 42 02 614 33560 / 614 33552 / 614 33553

Salutation:Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Government Commissioner for Human Rights

Jan Jarab

Government Office

Vladislovova 4

11000 Prague 1 - Nové Mesto

Czech Republic

Fax:+ 42 02 2494 6615/961 53358

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Jan Kavan

Loretánské náměstí 5

125 10 Prague 1

Fax: + 42 02 243 10017

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of the Czech Republic and Uzbekistan accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 January 2001.