Uzbekistan´s Vicious Circle by Geert Groot Keorkamp Radio Netherlands 2:53am 1st Apr, 2004   31 March 2004    At least 42 people are known to have died in the series of bomb attacks and shooting incidents of recent days in the Central-Asian republic of Uzbekistan. The Uzbek government claims Islamic extremists are responsible for the attacks, and police have already picked up dozens of suspects.    The outbreak of violence coincides with publication of a damning report on the human rights situation in Uzbekistan – an ally of the United States in the fight against terrorism.    Uzbekistan is being targeted by terrorists, but the identity and aims of those behind the violence are still far from clear. It's also not clear whether the wave of attacks in the former Soviet republic has now come to an end or will continue to claim more victims.    With a distinct lack of information coming from official sources, rumours abound in the capital, Tashkent. Various theories as to who and what are behind the attacks have been doing the rounds, but the only certain knowledge is that more than 40 people – mainly terrorists and police – have died.    The governing regime of President Islam Karimov has laid responsibility at the door of a radical Muslim group, Hizb ut-Tahrir. This group – the "Liberation Party" – aims at the creation of Islamic states in Central Asia, but has always distanced itself from the use of violence. A spokesman for the organisation has resolutely denied any involvement in the campaign of violence in Uzbekistan.    All the same, the authoritarian rulers of the republics of Central Asia are fearful of Hizb ut-Tharir. The group has its roots in Uzbekistan and - despite an official ban - has been gaining in influence throughout the region. Uzbekistan's President Karimov in particular has emphasized the threat of organisations like Hizb ut-Tharir as a way of justifying to the outside world his repression at home of people who do not share his views.    With Uzbekistan standing as an ally of the West in the struggle against international terrorism, and US troops stationed inside the country, the international community has so far closed its eyes to the extensive and prolonged campaign of terror inside Uzbekistan. The victims of that campaign are predominantly independent-minded Muslims who refuse to adhere to the official form of state-controlled Islam.    The new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW), which was published on the day Tashkent witnessed the first attacks, says the Karimov regime has arrested an estimated 7,000 Muslims in recent years. Many have been tortured, some of them to death. The report documents a particular case in which a young arrestee died after being plunged into boiling water. Just as happened with many of his fellow victims, he had been detained on suspicion of "religious extremism".    According to the HRW report, more than half the cases in this campaign of state terror have targeted members of Hizb ut-Tahrir. In that light, it could be that the continuing repression has led to a radicalisation of this – previously moderate – movement. If so, that in turn will engender yet more repression by Mr Karimov in his efforts to keep a tight rein on the situation in his country.    Uzbekistan has been targeted by terrorists before. Sixteen people lost their lives when Tashkent was hit by a series of attacks in 1999. The radical Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) claimed it was behind those attacks. It once had close links with al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in neighbouring Afghanistan, but has almost disappeared since the launch of the US-led operation against the Taliban in 2001. The leader of the organisation is reported to be hiding in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, one can't rule out the possibility that IMU's remaining hard-core members are working on the group's resurrection. The potential for it to do so is certainly present and growing. There have also been suggestions that the latest attacks were provoked by Uzbek agents who may have infiltrated what remains of IMU.    Whatever the truth maybe regarding those responsible for the attacks, President Karimov will undoubtedly use the wave of violence to clamp down even harder on alleged "Islamic extremists". The first round of arrests is already well under way.    Uzbekistan: Annan denounces series of bombings and other violent attacks (UN News)    30 March 2004 – Saying crimes against civilians can never be justified, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed his dismay at the series of terrorist bombings and other violent attacks in Uzbekistan in the past two days.    A statement released by his spokesperson at UN Headquarters in New York said Mr. Annan "condemns those criminal acts in the strongest terms."Targeting of civilians is a crime which cannot be justified by any cause," the statement said.    More than 20 people are reported to have been killed and another 50 people injured, mainly civilians, following bombings and gun battles in the Uzbek capital Tashkent and the provincial city of Bukhara.  Visit the related web page
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