The U.S. welcomes the positive steps the Uzbek government has taken to act on its commitment to human rights. These include registering the Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan (IHROU), issuing an invitation to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture, and handing out long prison sentences for those law enforcement officials who were found guilty of torturing several prisoners to death.

However, we, like the European Union and the Chairmanship itself, are concerned by the deaths in Jaslyk prison of Mirzakomil Avazov and Khusnuddin Olimov, apparently from torture and apparently while in custody.

We take note of the report circulated by Uzbekistan concerning the cases but also believe further investigation is necessary.

The U.S. urges the Government of Uzbekistan to undertake a swift, credible and transparent investigation of these deaths and to hold public trials for any individual accused of being criminally responsible for the deaths or the mistreatment of prisoners.

The U.S. remains committed to working with the Government of Uzbekistan, through the OSCE and other organizations, in order to ensure both fair treatment of prisoners and further progress in this area.